Reshuffle speculation – who’s coming, who’s going?

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

A piece in The Guardian today is speculating on possibilities for the imminent reshuffle, likely to take place in the week after the European elections on June 4.

The most notable of these is the idea that Peter Mandelson might be moved to the Foreign Office, with David Miliband replacing a departing Jacqui Smith at the Home Office. In these circumstances, Ed Balls would likely receive the Business brief vacated by Mandelson.

The Times, meanwhile, is saying that the positions of Hazel Blears, James Purnell and Geoff Hoon are unstable, due to apparent tax irregularities, though the PM is moving to sure up the positions of Purnell and Hoon. Blears’ position has probably become unsalvageable, in spite of current protestations.

But what of Hilary Benn and Ed Miliband, both surely deserving of promotions after they emerged unscathed from the expenses fiasco? And what about refreshing and reenergising the cabinet with some completely new faces?