Blunkett returns in new Cabinet

[muriel_volestrangler]

David Blunkett has returned to the Cabinet as work and pensions secretary as Tony Blair reshuffles his top team.

Patricia Hewitt has been appointed health secretary - with John Reid moving to defence and Geoff Hoon becoming Commons leader.

In other changes, Alan Johnson takes the new post of secretary for productivity, energy and industry.

Chancellor Gordon Brown, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Home Secretary Charles Clarke remain in their posts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4523783.stm

Is this on the grounds that he hasn't got anyone to give free train tickets to anymore, or expadite visa applications for, so we know he'll behave himself?

Post updated to reflect story update. Where's Peter Hain gone?

[Anarcho-Socialist]

1. Just keep him from the Home Office...

...or any major Cabinet post for that matter.

[bennywhale]

2. Thats what i call integrity

did they not say there was an issue of trust, well that'll fuckin solve it alright.

Blunkett a dangerous authoritarian lunatic who would have every citizens DNA if he could. If he comes back as home secretary i leave the country.

AAh but if you've got nothing to hide you've got nothing to be worried about.

Tell that to the miners, CND, Peace protesters, Muslims, anyone who knows a muslim.

What next. political affiliation on those fuvkin ID cards that are coming in.

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance"

[Briar]

3. They've sliced away some parts of Prescott's portfolio

and given it to Blunkett. Responsibility for council tax reform etc.

Bliar just wants a committed loyalist by his side in the cabinet.

Doesn't sound like he is ready to accept the verdict of the nation and cede authority to Brown.

[Briar]

7. Oops

crossed wire here, sorry. Milliband profits from Prescott's loss.

[Vladimir]

4. Good to see Blair has got his top fascist

to continue the assault on pensioners' rights...

[Briar]

5. Work and pensions

presumably means he'll be attacking the pension arrangements of people in the Public Servics too.

[Vladimir]

6. I wonder what the Sun thinks about pensions

they always appear to be an accurate way to learn what David Blunkett's views are...

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

8. I believe Hain's gone to N. Ireland n/t

[T_i_B]

9. Having grown up in Sheffield...

...where Blunkett used to run Sheffield City Council, and introduced some of the stupidest white elephant schemes possible such as the World Student Games I can honestly say that David Blunkett is one of the biggest reasons why I do not like the Labour Party. The man is not fit to hold political office.

[non sociopath skin]

10. I did not see the return of Blunkett as a good omen.

The man has a chip on his shoulder like a Sack of King Edwards and is no way a consensus politician.

I fear that putting him in charge of state benefits is like putting the fox in charge of the Egg Marketing Board.

You're not listening yet, Tony.

The Skin

[D-Notice]

11. It also says this

Mr Blunkett will also take charge of controversial plans for reform of invalidity benefit.

This might be a bit of a sick comment (apologies in advance if it is), but I'll make a wild prediction that he'll play on his disability to emotionally blackmail people into supporting him. E.g. I'm blind & you hate blind people if you don't support me.

[LeftishBrit]

12. I don't think he'd use it in that way, but be more Tebbit-ish

"I got where I was in spite of being blind, so all disabled people should just shut up and pull themselves up by their bootstraps". Just like Tebbit with dad's bike. I hope I'm wrong, but the man is way to the right of some of the Tories.

[UKCynic]

14. No, not Blunkett's style at all

He never uses his blindness publicly. Some of the blind think he should be far more useful to them but I understand that his point of view is that he can work for better opportunities for the blind or become a leader of the country, he hasn't time for both. And of course he is a useful role model.

Incidentally I hate the man. he was bad in Sheffield and the worst Home Secretary since Churchill, and that includes Michael Howard.

Note for Americans: Churchill, whilst an inspirational war leader, was a crap peacetime politician.

[non sociopath skin]

15. Not overtly, no, but it does underly his bitterness.

I really do think there's a fear that he will do a Tebbit on Disability.

The Skin

[tjwmason]

13. This coming from the man who lead the charge on Tory sleaze

I am seriously wondering what one would have to do in order for a sacking from the Blair cabinet actually to mean something.

This is just like Mandy.

You get caught out, you get sacked, a few months later you're back in...

It makes the 'Rt. Hon.' tag for Privy Councillors sound even more ridiculous than ever before.

[D-Notice]

16. Anyone see the Times cartoon today?

http://images.thetimes.co.uk/TGD/picture/0,,198080,00.jpg

Very appropriate