Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Reshuffle.
Reshuffle
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) told journalists that since Alan Milburn had resigned this morning as Secretary of State for Health he would be replaced by John Reid. Peter Hain would become Leader of the house. Derry Irvine was retiring from government and he would be replaced by Charles Falconer in what will be a new department of Constitutional Affairs. Amongst other things that would incorporate the Scottish and Welsh offices. However in Cabinet and in Parliament Peter Hain would speak on Wales and Alastair Darling would speak on Scotland. The knock on affect of that was that Helen Liddell had also asked to leave government as well.
Asked if Lord Falconer would be known as Lord Chancellor the PMOS said that in the transition period between his taking office and the establishment of the new arrangements he would be known as Lord Chancellor. Once it was established he would be known as Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs. Asked if the changes meant we would be without a Lord Chancellor for the first time in a thousand years the PMOS told journalists that after the transition that would be the case.
Questioned as to how long the transition would take the PMOS told journalists that we would go out for consultation on the Supreme Court and on the judicial appointments commission this summer. No one should underestimate the significance of the legal developments as well as the personnel developments. These were proposals which had been thought about for some time and did have significant legal backing. The PMOS told journalists that the Prime Minister had briefed both Rhodri Morgan in Wales and Jack McConnell in Scotland on the developments in Scotland and Wales.
Asked to spell out the significance of the changes to the legal system the PMOS told journalists that it would be a process of modernisation. What it meant was that we would establish a Supreme Court rather then have a committee of the House of Lords. Asked what the membership of that Supreme Court would look like the PMOS said that it was a legitimate question but that was precisely the point of the consultation period.
Questioned as to who would be the Speaker of the House of Lords the PMOS said that in the transition period Lord Falconer would not fulfil either the judicial function of Lord Chancellor or the role of speaker. That would be a matter for consultation in the normal way.
Asked who would have responsibility for dealing with the devolved administration Welsh and Scottish office the PMOS told journalists that the administrative functions of the two offices would be taken into the new department and in day to day terms that would be the main channel of communication. In terms of who would have accountability to parliament and speak in Cabinet it would be Alastair Darling for Scotland and Peter Hain for Wales.
Questioned as to why John Reid had been selected as Secretary of State for Health the PMOS said that John Reid had a background which has covered in ministerial terms delivery departments in transport and very tough portfolio’s such as Northern Ireland. He had shown himself very capable in terms of dealing with difficult issues and delivering on them. Alan Milburn had left a very strong legacy in terms of the department of Health but the Prime Minister recognised that we continued to need to deliver on that legacy.
Asked if these were the limit of the cabinet changes the PMOS said yes. Asked if it would be the end of "funny wigs" and the "Woolsack" given the changes in the House of Lords the PMOS said that he would have to check the detail of that, but in terms of the post of Lord Chancellor it was as had been described.
Asked if Helen Liddell had resigned in protest at the changes the PMOS said no and referred journalist to the exchange of letters that had been distributed which explained her reasons for leaving.
Asked if the Northern Ireland office might become part of the new department the PMOS said that at the moment it was recognised that Northern Ireland was different, but we should see how things developed.
Questioned on whether there would be any further changes to the Home office, the PMOS said he was not aware of any planned changes.
Asked if there were any plans for a Europe Minister or a Ministry of Justice the PMOS said that all the Cabinet level changes that would be made had been announced.
Asked if Charles Falconer would continue to be a member of all three branches of government the PMOS explained that he will not have his office in the Lords and he does not propose to fulfil the judicial function or that of speaker of the House of Lords even during the transition period.
Questioned as to whether the Leader of the House should be speaker for Wales as well, the PMOS said that in terms of fulfilling the two functions the Government didn’t think there would be a problem. Asked if the changes would represent the diminution of Scottish and Welsh representation in parliament given that they would only have "part-time ministers" the PMOS said that it was precisely because of the parliamentary issues that we would have Alastair Darling and Peter Hain speaking in the Commons on Scotland and Wales. In terms of the changes to administrative arrangements they were recognition of is the success of devolution. What it was, was a sensible amalgamation of functions in terms of people fulfilling different roles. In terms of not having full time ministers, the PMOS pointed out that Peter Hain had already been Secretary of Sate for Wales so it could be done.
Asked whether the Junior minister’s of Scotland and Wales would be going in to the new department the PMOS said that was his understanding, but journalists should wait until tomorrow for further announcements concerning Junior Ministers.
Asked whether the new department would take on John Precott’s English devolution agenda the PMOS told journalists to check with the existing department.
Asked if there would be any further announcements over the next few days the PMOS reiterated that changes concerning Junior ministers would be announced tomorrow.
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