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Reshuffle: Who's in and who's out
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent3 Oct 2008
Margaret Beckett, 65
Rank: Chairman of the intelligence and security committee
New job: Housing minister
Why: The "comeback Queen" is seen as one of the safest pair of hands in Government. A political veteran, who served in the Callaghan government, expect to hear a lot from the former Foreign Secretary on the Today programme. Famous for her caravan, she now turns her attention to Britain's housing crisis.
Nick Brown, 58
Rank: Deputy chief whip
New job: Chief Whip
Why: Gordon Brown's chief lieutenant, who exudes quiet menace, will seek to impose discipline among the parliamentary party. His promotion will anger some Blairites but is offset by Mr Mandelson's return.
John Hutton, 53
Rank: Business Secretary
New job: Defence Secretary
Why: Military historian Mr Hutton has excellent credential for the top defence post. A leading Blairite he struggled to hide his misgivings about the Prime Minister. His latest appointment could bind him in from leading any rebellion.
Ed Miliband, 38
Rank: Cabinet Office minister
New job: Energy and environment secretary
Why: Ultra-loyal Brownite, Mr Miliband is handed this crucial portfolio to push through a new generation of nuclear power stations and tackle global warming.
Liam Byrne, 38
Rank: Immigration minister
New job: Cabinet Office co-ordinator
Why: The Harvard-educated MP is one of the brightest sparks in Government and will use his business experience to get Whitehall working together to achieve the Government's aims.
Des Browne: 56
Rank: Defence Secretary
New job: Returns to the backbenches.
Why: Mr Browne has come under criticism for the handling of the capture of 15 British marines and sailors by Iran last spring which was a propaganda coup for Tehran and a PR disaster for the Navy.
Geoff Hoon, 54
Rank: Chief whip
New job: Transport Secretary
Why: Mr Hoon wanted a spending department and moving him allows Mr Brown to make his namesake Nick Brown his chief whip.
Hilary Benn, 54
Rank: Environment Secretary
New Job: Agriculture and Rural Affairs Secretary
Why: Mr Benn has failed to shine in his current post and is being stripped of the flagship climate change brief.
Ruth Kelly, 40
Rank: Transport Secretary
New job: To stand down as an MP.
Why: Ms Kelly wants to spend more time with her family though she also had disagreements over Government policy including on the embryology bill.
Lord (Digby) Jones, 52
Rank: Trade Minister
New job: Standing down
Why: The peer says he always only intended to serve a short term and is understood to have had health problems.
Sir John Bond, 57
Rank: Vodafone chairman
New job: Will head up a new Government economic panel.
Why: The financial crisis is the biggest threat facing Britain and could make or break Mr Brown's premiership.
Jim Murphy, 41
Rank: Europe Minister
New job: Tipped for Scottish Secretary
Why: Highly-regarded Mr Murphy gets his reward for steering the EU treaty through the Commons.
Caroline Flint, 47
Rank: Housing minister
New job: Tipped for Europe Minister
Why: Ms Flint wins promotion as she is a good media performer who has handled her housing portfolio well.
Baroness Ashton, 52
Rank: Lords Leader
New Job: Tipped for EU Commissioner
Why: An expert on Europe, Lady Ashton took the controversial EU treaty through the Upper Chamber.
Paul Myners, 60
Rank: former chairman of Marks & Spencer
New job: City minister
Why: Labour is keen to shore up links with the City as business chiefs turn their eyes towards the Tories. But the appointment of Mr Myners, chair of the Guardian Media Group, is controversial.
Reader views (1)
All losers -- and all with only months to remain in their new portfolios.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 03/10/2008 18:47
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