The reshuffle

If Alistair Darling won't leave Number 11, and he knows how bad the figures really are, then Gordon Brown won't be able to fulfil his and Ed Balls desire for Ed Balls to be Chancellor. David Miliband has gone on record as supporting Gordon Brown so that's him sage at the Foreign Office. Alan Johnson hasn't publicly opposed Gordon Brown so I presume he will be promoted to Home Secretary with Gordon Brown hoping the Home Office claims another victim and Alan Johnson hoping he can survive their until Gordon Brown falls - that could be a close run thing. Jack Straw and Peter Mandelson have been loyal and supportive of Gordon Brown but there is no room for promotion for either if David Miliband stays at the Foreign Office.

What of the lower CAbinet positions? Is Gordon Brown strong enough to advance his own supporters or does he need to promote Blairites to forestall any attempted coup? Very tricky stuff for Gordon Brown, is he up to the job or will he just make matters worse?