No-shuffle The limited scope of David Cameron's reshuffle today revels the precarious position he finds himself in as he seeks to maintain government unity for the next five years. Most of the big departmental beasts are staying exactly where they are, with Cameron apparently unable to move those like Iain Duncan Smith who caused him so much trouble within the last parliament.
Probably the most significant move in this reshuffle however is the decision to place Michael Gove as justice secretary. Gove's appointment has already caused controversy following the emergence of an article he wrote while still a journalist, in which he called for the return of hanging.
However, his appointment has been cautiously welcomed by many of those who so vehemently opposed his predecessor Chris Grayling. Unlike Grayling, Gove is a thoughtful politician who at the very least engages with his opponents, even if he has not enjoyed particularly good relations with all of them.
Away from government and the Labour party are already beginning to pick up the pieces from their heavy defeat last week. They have reportedly had a surge in membership in recent days. But how worthwhile is it now being part of Labour? With the top levels of the party apparently wedded to the firmly top-down control that began under Blair, it will be incredibly difficult for any new members to shape the direction the party now takes. | 
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