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Byrne tipped to be given enforcer role in Cabinet
Joe Murphy and Pippa Crerar2 Oct 2008
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne is set to be promoted to the Cabinet in a mini-reshuffle.
The high-flier, who has been an MP for just four years, is tipped to be the main winner in changes forced by the resignation of Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly.
Gordon Brown is putting off a much bigger strategic reshuffle to the New Year because of the economic crisis. This week's changes, likely to be announced tomorrow, will be limited to a handful of moves that cannot wait.
Mr Brown is expected to appoint a Cabinet "enforcer" to improve the coordination of government departments and ensure that Downing Street's orders are being carried out on time. Mr Byrne, a former management consultant, was tipped by some for the role, as was Ed Miliband, the Cabinet Office Minister who made one of the best speeches at the Labour conference.
The post-Christmas shuffle will range much more widely, with major Cabinet changes and an extensive shake-up of middle-ranking ministers to weed out no-hopers and promote talent.
Rising stars tipped for Cabinet promotion in the New Year are housing minister Caroline Flint, who currently attends as a non-voting member, Europe Minister Jim Murphy, Business Minister Pat McFadden and Policing Minister Tony McNulty.
Jon Cruddas, the popular London Left-winger regarded as a potential Labour leader if the party holds a leadership election while in Opposition, is expected to get his first ministerial job after recently signalling his backing for Mr Brown. There is also talk of a comeback for former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett.
The delay in the full-scale reshuffle was decided by Mr Brown so that he could focus on the economic turmoil. Aides also think that he has less need to assert his authority following a big boost to his ratings for his handling of the crisis.
Mr Brown is braced for criticism of his leadership from departing ministers but believes the threat has lifted of a clash with Labour MPs when they meet for the first time since the summer holiday on Monday.
Senior Conservatives were today confident they will extend their opinion poll lead in the wake of David Cameron's conference speech, putting extra pressure on Mr Brown.
The Tory leader's address was widely praised by commentators this morning as the best from a Conservative leader in years, with several saying he looked like a premier-in-waiting. Tory officials were particularly excited that the mass-selling Sun newspaper declared that their leader was "ready."
Although falling short of an endorsement, it was taken as a sign that media magnate Rupert Murdoch is willing to change sides after 14 years supporting New Labour.
