Home Secretary Jacqui Smith replaced
Alan Johnson has been promoted to Home Secretary replacing Jacqui Smith in Gordon Brown’s desperate cabinet reshuffle.
The former postal worker from working class roots is tipped by many as a possible successor to Mr Brown, is playing it cool.
He told the BBC:
“I am flattered that people think highly of me. I want them to think highly of me as a home secretary in a Labour government serving under the prime minister.”
The move sees yet another Home Secretary removed from the Home Office in unfortunate circumstances.
The position (Secretary of State for the Home Department), one of the highest in the land, been vacated in controversial circumstances by a number of Jacqui Smith’s predecessors.
David Blunkett quit the post in December 2004, after it emerged that he had fast-tracked a passport application for his ex-lover’s Filipina nanny.
His successor Charles Clarke was forced to resign two years later following the “escaped foreign prisoners scandal.
Tough talking John Reid took control of the Home Office famously remarking that it was not “fit for purpose”.
He quickly brought in reforms leading to the formation of the UK Border Agency, but resigned in 2007 to return to the back benches and was replaced by Jacqui Smith.
Jacqui Smith has been under intense pressure and the subject of an investigation into her ’second home’ expenses and her husband’s (who is also her paid assistant) claim for renting a porn movie.
Former Border and Immigration Ministers had mixed fortunes with Liam Byrne gaining promotion to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, whilst Tony McNulty resigned following his ’second homes’ controversy.
With a disastrous local election result today and further resignations, the future for Gordon Brown’s Government looks increasingly bleak.
David Cameron look set to win the next election, which could be bad news for migrants. The Conservatives favour a cap on immigration and have traditionally introduced anti-immigration policies.
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
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