Writing over on his work blog, The Voice’s Mark Pack has been crunching the numbers on the media performances of Liberal Democrat ministers ahead of a likely reshuffle:
No surprise that the top five places are taken by the five Liberal Democrat Cabinet members. Her push for equal marriage reforms has helped put Lynne Featherstone top of the list of non-Cabinet members, whilst Health Minister Paul Burstow’s mid-table ranking is a mixed blessing. He may be a minister in a hugely important area, but given the level of controversy attracted by Andrew Lansley and the Health and Social Care Act, keeping his name out of the news has much to commend it.
He also tips David Laws for a return to government:
And as for the man who is an almost dead cert to return to government in the next reshuffle? David Laws, out of government, comes in at 147 – which would put him behind only the Cabinet members and Lynne Featherstone.
Even out of government, he is one of the Liberal Democrats’ most media-friendly figures.
He is unlikely to remain out of government for long.
You can read Mark’s full post – including the league table of ministers – here.
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One Comment
It’s interesting that immediately behind the two big hitters, Nick and Vince, comes Danny. Unfortunately, as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, his job appears to consist solely of parrotting Osborne’s economic ‘line’, with no concession to differentiation, despite the obvious failings.
I do not agree with David Laws’ neoliberal economic approach, but his unfortunate resort to blatant dishonesty seems to have resulted in a less able approach to media relations. It would now be better for us to move Vince into this role, to counter Osborne’s influence at the Treasury. It would also mean he was part of the Quartet, which may help to prevent future policy banana skins from getting underfoot.