Picture the scene: It’s Labour Party Conference 2008, Geoff Hoon is busy in interviews saying the Cabinet is totally united. While James Purnell argues that the party needs a vision on BBC 2, Hazel Blears talks to the BBC about her belief that the Conservatives will stand on the sidelines during economic difficulties. And then Paul Waugh, Political Editor of the Evening Standard, is handed a note by one Blairite conspirator with a list of names that would make up David Miliband’s first Cabinet.*
Prime Minister – David Miliband
Foreign Secretary – James Purnell
Chancellor – John Hutton
Home Secretary – Alan Johnson
Health Sec – Andy Burnham
Education Sec – Jacqui Smith
Business Secretary – Ed Balls
Defence – Jack Straw
Justice – Liam Byrne
DIUS – Jim Murphy
Work and Pensions – Mike O’Brien
Chief Sec to Treasury – Kitty Ussher
Transport Sec – Yvette Cooper
Environment – Caroline Flint
Cabinet Office – Hazel Blears
DCLG – Ed Miliband
Commons – Harriet Harman
Int Devpmt – Pat McFadden
Culture – Ben Bradshaw
Chief Whip -Tony McNulty
Let the stirring commence.
*Quite a good list – no?
