Shuffle

I've always thought it odd that cabinet reorganizations are called "reshuffles". Shouldn't it be termed a shuffle first before it becomes a reshuffle? No harm in a little pedantry!

The bigger question is whether these things actually work. If it's Brown's intention to convince voters that his new cabinet is full of ideas, drive and energy (and maybe we should add honesty and probity) then it won't work. The majority will have the same impression of Brown and his government the week after the new cabinet as before. Remember he started off with the C list of Labour talent two years ago - Tony Blair had already used up the A list and the B list.

I expect we shall be back to another group of teenagers and never-wozzers trying to deal with a succession of cock-ups. Business as usual.