Politics - Creating a winning team?

A view of Westminster

The last few days of the UK's political news have been dominated by the Cabinet reshuffle instigated by Prime-minister David Cameron- which in itself is something of an achievement.

But to what ends are the changes directed?

If it is to create an electable team the effort along with the No. 10 comings and goings has probably been worthwhile - It may be that for the next 9 months the job of PM as Cameron sees it is to get the best result he can for the Conservatives from the 2015 General Election, little of substance is planned, the main aim is to avoid the 'potholes and pratfalls' which could lose the Tories the prize of a majority in the House of Commons.

An earlier Tory PM

There are political commentators who make the judgment that David Cameron is not a 'conviction' politician and as a former Director of Corporate Affairs (PR) man at Carlton TV there is a case to say that his specialty is more concerned with surface than substance.

Well if this is the case then he has an opportunity to use these skills to  make his party electable without need for a coalition in the next term- it is said that 'Oppositions don't win elections but  governments lose them' - As the economy improves; via it should be said largely the strength of the service sector and increasing consumer confidence Team Cameron need to make sure that they avoid major calamities primarily in Health and to a lesser extent Education.

So what is needed is a group of people who appear in control and have the clam reassuring manner of  trusted professionals - expect photo opportunities to reflect this.


Cameron has addressed the issue of male domination in the cabinet, perhaps largely through spin but the perception is everything and if the story is about women in the cabinet then the  story and the pictures the media have been using will help give the impression that there has been a 'real' change in the gender balance of the Government.

How will Labour and to  a lesser extent the Liberal Democrats look to take the initiative back, can Ed Milliband make his team look like Modern Britain and offer a positive vision for the next 5 years? - to be honest it is a major challenge and while unity  behind the leader  looks  to be an issue it's difficult to imagine Ed sweeping into Downing Street, the best at present that some Labour supporters can envisage  is another hung parliament with a Labour/Lib Dem  arrangement of some sort.

The one thing that could mean all bets are off would be damaging revelations within the corridors of power on  politicians sexual  misdemeanors with minors- this I see as a possible Tory Achilles heel (and perhaps Labour too) -worryingly  if something terrible does come to light then that will mean UKIP have a real chance of some power .