David Cameron has long been keen for his shadow Cabinet to exude greater empathy with recession-struck Britain — and he has inadvertently succeeded in one important regard. Most are now fearful of losing their jobs. The coming reshuffle is being spoken of like a vicious redundancy plan that could claim any scalp at random. Frontbenchers anxiously read and decode newspaper stories — particularly for the latest word on Ken Clarke’s potential return and what that might mean. The suspense is agonising.
Reshuffle speculation is normally a media game. This time, few shadow ministers have been able to wish each other happy new year without then discussing for whom, precisely, it will be most happy. The febrile atmosphere has itself shed intriguing light on the nervous system (and nervous state) of the Conservatives, the relationship between the party and its high command, and the direction in which power is shifting.
None of this can be explained without reference to the Norman Shaw South building, the adopted home of the Cameroons.
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