As the cabinet reshuffle took place today, I was surrounded – physically and digitally – with people dissecting the moves. Hey, these people are running the country. They deserve our scrutiny, if not our respect. So what does the picture look like now?
It's easy to look at a reshuffle as a rearrangement of the deckchairs on the Titanic (a metaphor I'll be glad if I never have to read again, particularly in the BBC's comments section), but there are always reasons behind these moves.
It's easy to look at a reshuffle as a rearrangement of the deckchairs on the Titanic (a metaphor I'll be glad if I never have to read again, particularly in the BBC's comments section), but there are always reasons behind these moves.
While none of the new appointments will substantially change the government's direction, they will make it easier for the Tories to move to the right in the (fingers crossed) short time they have left in power. If Justine Greening hadn't opposed the third runway at Heathrow (ruled out in both her own party's and the LibDem's manifestos) perhaps she'd still be Transport Secretary. But upholding manifesto promises, looking after your constituents (who live under the Heathrow flight path), and remembering that pesky line about this being the “greenest government ever” are not enough to hold onto a cabinet job. No, for that you apparently need a completely different set of credentials.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Jeremy Hunt (or, as a friend put it, “sorry, do you mean disgraced Jeremy Hunt?”) taking on the role of Health Secretary. As many people have pointed out, this is a man who contributed to a book calling for the National Health Service, which he is now responsible for, to be dismantled. He's got form - it's not as if, while Culture Secretary, his approach to the BBC or bSkyB was exactly impartial. But evidently he's seen by Cameron as shrewd enough to oversee widespread changes where Lansley failed. Let's hope they're wrong.
That's not a good start. But what about his other beliefs and voting patterns? Skeptical Voter give an overview of these, including his support of homeopathy.
What worries me is that we now have a man in charge of the NHS who has consistently voted for abortion limits to be lowered. The next few years do not look good for women. And if you're a lesbian or bisexual woman who wants to have a child with her partner, the picture looks even more glum – Hunt also voted for an amendment to strengthen laws to make IVF clinics consider the 'need for a father and a mother' before allowing women to begin fertility treatment.
There are areas of government that might be thought of as supporting the rights of women, LGBT folk and ethnic minorities. Perhaps, for example, the Minister for Women and Equalities.
Now held by Maria Miller – who is also responsible for Hunt's old stomping ground of Culture – it's hard to see how the new incumbent will fill this aspect of her portfolio. As well as echoing Hunt's votes on abortion limits and IVF restrictions, Miller also has a fairly dismal record on gay rights, including votes against equal marriage rights.
Overall, the reshuffle leaves the cabinet with 2 fewer female members, an all-white make-up for the first time in 15 years, and me with a nasty taste in my mouth.
Squeamish Louise
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Jeremy Hunt (or, as a friend put it, “sorry, do you mean disgraced Jeremy Hunt?”) taking on the role of Health Secretary. As many people have pointed out, this is a man who contributed to a book calling for the National Health Service, which he is now responsible for, to be dismantled. He's got form - it's not as if, while Culture Secretary, his approach to the BBC or bSkyB was exactly impartial. But evidently he's seen by Cameron as shrewd enough to oversee widespread changes where Lansley failed. Let's hope they're wrong.
That's not a good start. But what about his other beliefs and voting patterns? Skeptical Voter give an overview of these, including his support of homeopathy.
What worries me is that we now have a man in charge of the NHS who has consistently voted for abortion limits to be lowered. The next few years do not look good for women. And if you're a lesbian or bisexual woman who wants to have a child with her partner, the picture looks even more glum – Hunt also voted for an amendment to strengthen laws to make IVF clinics consider the 'need for a father and a mother' before allowing women to begin fertility treatment.
There are areas of government that might be thought of as supporting the rights of women, LGBT folk and ethnic minorities. Perhaps, for example, the Minister for Women and Equalities.
Now held by Maria Miller – who is also responsible for Hunt's old stomping ground of Culture – it's hard to see how the new incumbent will fill this aspect of her portfolio. As well as echoing Hunt's votes on abortion limits and IVF restrictions, Miller also has a fairly dismal record on gay rights, including votes against equal marriage rights.
Overall, the reshuffle leaves the cabinet with 2 fewer female members, an all-white make-up for the first time in 15 years, and me with a nasty taste in my mouth.
Squeamish Louise
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