Congratulations
to Hazel Blears if it's true that she will be going to Communities and Local Government.
posted by Luke Akehurst at 12:11 pm
Thursday, June 28, 2007
About Me
- Name: Luke Akehurst
- Location: North Durham, County Durham, United Kingdom
Labour MP for North Durham since 2024. Labour Party activist since 1988 - firmly on the moderate wing of the party. Member of Labour’s NEC 2010-2012 and since 2020. National Secretary of Labour Students 1995-6. Parliamentary candidate for Aldershot (2001) and Castle Point (2005). Hackney Councillor (Chatham Ward) 2002-2014, Labour Group Chief Whip 2002-09, Chair of Health Scrutiny 2010-2014. Dad. Unite and GMB union member. All views expressed in a personal capacity. The rest will become evident from reading the blog.
13 Comments:
A small quiet siding somewhere then.
Keep her away from the big decisions and hopefully off the telly.
12:15 pm, June 28, 2007
Actually I can see her doing well in this department
12:17 pm, June 28, 2007
I'm sure Labour Councillors across the country don't think they are a "small quiet siding" - we're the people that actually oversee delivery of a lot of government policies on the ground. Community cohesion is pretty important too.
1:15 pm, June 28, 2007
Hurrah, she's my Minister. When can we have a meeting, I wonder?
1:21 pm, June 28, 2007
Although not a massive fan of Hazel during the DL campaign, I actually think she will do a really good job at DCLG. Luke's right, this is a crucial post if GB is serious about devolving more power to local government.
3:16 pm, June 28, 2007
This is a perfect deparment for Hazel Blears. I read a terrific pamphlet she wrote a few years ago (from Demos or the Fabians I think) and she had some great things to say on community engagement. I am really looking forward to hearing her plans for the department.
4:56 pm, June 28, 2007
Good luck to Hazel. Luke, what do you think of Shaun Woodward entering cabinet? I am slightly shocked.
5:12 pm, June 28, 2007
Fabians, if you're thinking of "Communities in Control". It's certainly interesting and well thought through, so I will be watching with interest.
I should add in answer to anonymous, and since I was so harsh on Tally-Ho Quentin, that I'm fine with Shaun Woodward. He's repented of his sins, and served his time.
7:37 pm, June 28, 2007
Communities and Local Goverment?
The curtain twitching brigade.
That's Hazel.
6:21 am, June 29, 2007
jdc: "I should add in answer to anonymous, and since I was so harsh on Tally-Ho Quentin, that I'm fine with Shaun Woodward. He's repented of his sins, and served his time."
Ha! I take the opposite position. Happy to accept defections when they damage the Tories, but once a Tory MP always a Tory and they should never be given any power. Hopefully if the assembly progresses well, he won't have any significant decisions to make.
11:16 am, June 29, 2007
Yes that's it - Communities in Control. I lent it out to someone and never got it back. Must try and get hold of another copy. I was the best pamphlet I'd read on the topic for years - arguably the precursor to 'double devolition' -terms of local government from what I can recall.
11:55 am, June 29, 2007
"Yes that's it - Communities in Control. I lent it out to someone and never got it back. "
I've got an electronic one, as long as Hazel promises not to sue me for copyright theft... where would you like it?
12:36 pm, June 29, 2007
I have to confess, I feel a bit sorry for Hazel. I'm not a particular fan of her arch-Blairism, but she's a terrific campaigner (DL contest aside, perhaps !) and did a pretty reasonable job as Party Chair. Would have been a far better choice for GE co-ordinator than Douglas Alexander (who needs to sharpen up his game considerably after Scotland.)
9:16 pm, June 30, 2007
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