Certainly making his mark
Did anyone foresee Alan Johnson as shadow chancellor? I thought, and hoped Yvette Cooper might get the job, but eventually she was seen as too close to her husband, Ed Balls. Although Ed Balls was hotly tipped too, the perception of him outside Labour circles is hardly a positive one. If that is an important quality for, arguably the most important shadow portfolio, you can see Ed Miliband’s logic to give the role to Alan Johnson.
Johnson is liked and well respected inside and outside of Labour circles. He is a curious blend of former trade union leader, Blairite and a close ally of David Miliband. It is an appointment that does not add credence to the ‘Red Ed’ tag.
With all the checks, balances and appeasement issues at play here, it resembles a game of political chess. In those terms Alan Johnson is a sensible choice, a safe pair of likeable hands to represent the Labour party’s economic stance. Yet therein lies Johnson’s biggest flaw as shadow chancellor – he is not known for his number crunching, although he is an experienced campaigner having held many roles in cabinet.
Further reasoning behind Johnson’s appointment, is that compared to George Osborne, he will be perceived as a more down to earth figure and will provide the electorate with common ground that George Osborne cannot.
I am not shocked, and am pleased that the Labour party’s attack dog is pointed directly at the Tories weakest link – Theresa May. Balls gave Michael Gove a torrid time in his short stint as shadow education secretary. I hope he can pile more misery on the hapless Theresa May.
Yvette Cooper doing battle with William Hague is a bold move. Mrs Balls had done sterling work at the DWP, thus I am surprised at the big shift.
Elsewhere Andy Burnham’s move from health to education seems sensible enough, although I thought he might stay on as shadow health secretary. His passionate defence of the NHS will no doubt be useful when it comes to jousting with the gaffe laden Michael Gove.
Sadiq Khan, as Ed Miliband’s campaign manager was always going to get a substantial promotion, which is reflected in his shadow secretary of state for justice.
I can only think the experience of the relatively unknown John Healey had a bearing on his appointment as shadow health secretary.
With shadow roles for Liam Byrne, Douglas Alexander, John Denham, Jim Murphy, Caroline Flint, Meg Hillier, Ivan Lewis, Maria & Angela Eagle, Mary Creagh, Peter Hain, Shaun Woodward, Tessa Jowell – Ed Miliband has certainly made his mark. It is a mark that each should have time to settle into and become familiar with, thus I hope Ed ends, what at times has looked like a merry-go-round at the top of the Labour party. Let us hope that these appointments act as a basis for success.
The complete list of appointments can be seen here.
