Will Number 10 policy team get reshuffle boost?

As the reshuffle heaves in to view, plenty of names are in the frame for promotion, both on the backbenches and junior ministerial ranks. Some of those names include members of the Number 10 policy board, chosen for that role because they were all deemed to be talented individuals. This means they are also considered rising stars and suitable ministerial material.

But I’ve heard that the PM’s thinking is to leave the policy board well alone, partly because its members have already had their promotion, and others still languishing on the backbenches deserve a chance too. In a coalition, you don’t have as much luxury to promote every promising MP as you do in a majority one party government. And there is an argument that the group developing 2015 policy should stick together, give or take the odd dramatic departure over missed votes.

David Cameron might change his mind based on the performance of some of the members of the board over conference season – and they would make good ministers who would contribute a lot to government proper.