To some onlookers including myself, Prime Minister Cameron's reshuffle was surprisingly newsworthy! William Hague sensationally stepped down as Foreign Secretary, whilst controversial Education Secretary Michael Gove got moved to Chief Whip. Mr Hague is staying in the Cabinet in a lower profile role ahead of stepping down as an MP at next year's British General Election.
On the one hand, there can be no doubt that Hague almost cut a ridiculous figure as Tory Leader at the end of the 1990s and early 2000s. Hague's Conservative campaign at the 2001 General Election was built on a platform of saving the pound for another five years, even though Tony Blair's Labour Government was not even making a firm commitment to hold a referendum on Single Currency membership.
On the other hand, Tory divisions on Europe which had undermined John Major's Government, probably meant the party Hague inherited was ungovernable. There can be no doubt that since becoming a member of David Cameron's front bench team in Opposition, Hague has rarely looked ridiculous. In fact as Foreign Secretary, it would be hard to say that he is not respected internationally.
I would go further by saying that along with Ken Clarke (who has left Cameron's Cabinet in the reshuffle), Hague is one of the few people in Team Cameron I have any time for. Meanwhile, what can we say about the Right Honourable Michael Gove MP? The words "ridiculous specimen of a man" spring to mind. It is a great shame he is not stepping down as an MP next year, instead of Hague!
We are talking about a man who has got the backs up of too many in the teaching profession, with an imposition of culture change many teachers have found to be alien. I would not for one minute suggest that this sideways move will mark the beginning of the end of Gove's career; it is merely a clever move by Cameron to put a controversial operator into the background ahead of a general election.
In the event that Cameron finds himself able to form a majority Government after next year's election, I would expect Gove to return to a more high profile job. I would not be surprised if Gove became Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I can picture Gove attacking benefits for the needy, under the banner of benefits reform. In the event of another hung parliament, I sincerely hope that for any party looking to jump into bed with the Tories, the price must be NO GOVE IN CABINET!
On the one hand, there can be no doubt that Hague almost cut a ridiculous figure as Tory Leader at the end of the 1990s and early 2000s. Hague's Conservative campaign at the 2001 General Election was built on a platform of saving the pound for another five years, even though Tony Blair's Labour Government was not even making a firm commitment to hold a referendum on Single Currency membership.
On the other hand, Tory divisions on Europe which had undermined John Major's Government, probably meant the party Hague inherited was ungovernable. There can be no doubt that since becoming a member of David Cameron's front bench team in Opposition, Hague has rarely looked ridiculous. In fact as Foreign Secretary, it would be hard to say that he is not respected internationally.
I would go further by saying that along with Ken Clarke (who has left Cameron's Cabinet in the reshuffle), Hague is one of the few people in Team Cameron I have any time for. Meanwhile, what can we say about the Right Honourable Michael Gove MP? The words "ridiculous specimen of a man" spring to mind. It is a great shame he is not stepping down as an MP next year, instead of Hague!
We are talking about a man who has got the backs up of too many in the teaching profession, with an imposition of culture change many teachers have found to be alien. I would not for one minute suggest that this sideways move will mark the beginning of the end of Gove's career; it is merely a clever move by Cameron to put a controversial operator into the background ahead of a general election.
In the event that Cameron finds himself able to form a majority Government after next year's election, I would expect Gove to return to a more high profile job. I would not be surprised if Gove became Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I can picture Gove attacking benefits for the needy, under the banner of benefits reform. In the event of another hung parliament, I sincerely hope that for any party looking to jump into bed with the Tories, the price must be NO GOVE IN CABINET!
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