GORDON Brown is expected to conduct a swift reshuffle of his cabinet later this month, amid a growing clamour from his own backbenchers to restore order to his beleaguered government.
Brown is being urged to hand Health Secretary Alan Johnson a roving role, fronting up the party, following claims that Downing Street is failing to get its message across to the public. A gifted communicator, Johnson is seen as the ideal candidate t
o 'interpret' Brown's message to the wider public.
Senior sources are also suggesting that Brown could offer a ministerial post to former home secretary Charles Clarke, in a bid to show he is reaching out to all the talents.
Meanwhile, Brown is expected to order a major change in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, scrapping the individual Secretaries of State and replacing them with one Super-Minister for the Regions.
A reshuffle had been put on the back burner prior to last week's result in Crewe and Nantwich, but senior Brownite sources say plans have now been accelerated following the catastrophic loss of the seat. "It is really back on the agenda," said one well-placed insider.
Johnson is among several ministers who Downing Street has noted for having publicly come to the Brown's aid in recent weeks as his leadership has been rocked by the catastrophic local government election results and last Thursday's by-election calamity.
One source said: "Alan Johnson should be taken away from health and he could be given a job to front up the party."
Meanwhile, despite his trenchant criticism of Brown in recent months, Charles Clarke is also receiving support for a return to the front line, in the belief that the gesture would show up Brown's determination to bring the party together. "He is a major player and he knows how to get things done. It would also send out a good signal," said one senior MP.
The shake-up in Scotland is being considered now that the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland has bedded down, Scotland on Sunday understands.
The stability in the Province will allow Brown to appoint one Cabinet Minister with responsibility for it, Scotland and Wales. Meanwhile, the Scotland Office would continue to be run by one junior minister.
Europe Minister Jim Murphy or Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy are both being spoken about as possible contenders for the new post.
There is also support for Justice Secretary Jack Straw to be taken out of his own cabinet portfolio and handed a more "statesmanlike" post, setting out the Government's strategy.
Senior backbenchers hope that by bringing in experienced operators, Brown could then be persuaded to assume a less hands-on approach to the post. "He doesn't have to do everything himself. If it's the economy, then that should be Alistair Darling talking not him," said one Scottish MP.
But ministers privately fear that, aside from a reshuffle, Brown now has little room for manoeuvre as he seeks to persuade voters he can move on.
They are hoping, however, that Brown can ease their re-election worries by coming to the aid of motorists by scrapping the planned 2p increase in fuel duty, due for later this year. Darling is believed to be considering a U-turn on the increase that was supposed to have been introduced earlier this year.
Who are the leaders in waiting?David Miliband: Young, smart and with an affable manner that contrasts with Gordon Brown's gruff and dour tones, he is considered by many to be ideal candidate to take on David Cameron's charm offensive. Popular and respected in Whitehall, thanks to successful tenures at the Foreign Office and as head of the policy unit, but lacks any broad base of personal support within the Labour party.
Alan Johnson: MPs' choice for deputy leader last year, but less popular among the wider party, who rejected him. Celebrated for ability to explain and discuss clearly and in an unaffected way, he is being groomed as the public face of the Brown administration.
James Purnell: A favourite of the Blairites and renowned for his skilled media management, a successful stint as culture secretary also helped draw him to the attention of the arts world. May have less success with the wider party, however, because of his relatively low profile.
Ed Balls: Brown's right-hand man has been reconnecting with back benches with increased attendances at constituency events. Has been able to promote traditional Labour values in his role as the children, schools and families secretary.
Harriet Harman: The only woman thought to be in the running has made good political progress. Won the deputy leadership last year and proved she can hold her own in the Commons by standing in for Gordon Brown last month and seeing off William Hague. Popular with female MPs and in the wider party, but has some detractors at Westminster.
Alan Milburn: Combative and ambitious, he delights in sparring with the media and opposition, and is considered by many Blairites to be a good choice to take on David Cameron head-on. Not universally popular within the party, thanks to his unashamedly New Labour ideology, but has strong Labour pedigree. No fan of Gordon Brown, but has so far kept his criticism to a minimum.
The full article contains 885 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
