The Election That Wasn't

BBC News, Monday 30th October 2007
Conservative Leader David Cameron has announced the reshuffled Shadow Cabinet that will face the recently formed Labour—Liberal Democrat coalition government in the House of Commons. Most prominent amongst the changes is the appointment of William Hague, the former Tory leader and former Shadow Foreign Secretary, as Shadow Chancellor, replacing George Osborne, who becomes Party Chairman. David Davis, Cameron’s leadership rival in 2005, retains his position as Shadow Home Secretary, but gains the additional role of Deputy Leader of the Opposition, whilst Liam Fox replaces Mr Hague as Shadow Foreign Secretary. Other notable appointments include two former Cabinet ministers returning to the frontbench; Peter Lilley becomes Shadow Business Secretary, whilst Sir Malcolm Rifkind has accepted the Defence portfolio.

The reshuffle is seen by many in Westminster as an attempt to bolster Mr Cameron’s support amongst the party’s right wing following the recent election defeat, with most of those gaining belonging to that wing of the Party. Despite the recent defeat, David Cameron has announced his intention to remain as leader and to lead the Conservative Party into the next general election. Should Cameron resign, or be forced out, many of those who’ve found promotion—including new Deputy Leader David Davis and new Shadow Foreign Secretary Liam Fox— may be amongst those candidates to replace him. Both have pledged their loyalty to Mr Cameron, and insisted that there will be no leadership challenge this side of an election.
 
Looks like Cameron's pretty secure, unless there is a challenger from the left.

If he's given up on the modernisation program and handed all three of the major offices to the right it suggests he's extremely not secure. I would be surprised if he lasts out the parliament. His modernisation program was never that popular with the base and now its failed he's in serious trouble, thus the concessions.
 
A challenge from the left wouldn't cut it anyway, I doubt the Tory Party, in Parliament or out of it, would support someone seen as being even less conservative than Cameron.
 
BBC News, Monday 14th June 2008
Government to hold inquiry into Iraq War
In a statement to the House of Commons, Prime Minister announces the formation of a public inquiry into the Iraq War.


The Prime Minister has announced to MPs the creation of a public inquiry into Britain’s role in the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq, to commence its hearing in July of this year. The inquiry, promised under the ‘Foreign Policy’ section of the Labour—Liberal Democrat coalition document Reform last year, has been called for by figures from all political parties, including both the current Liberal Democrat and Conservative Party leaders. Both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties promised such an inquiry during the 2007 general election campaign, and it is understood that such ministerial responsibility that exists for the inquiry will be held by the Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, who also serves as Secretary of State for International Development.

The inquiry, to be chaired by career civil servant Sir Peter Ricketts, will have a wide remit, to consider the events from the September 11th attacks in 2001 up until the present day, with the aim of identifying lessons to be learned for similar situations in the future. Although the inquiry will be public, it will have discretion to hold a small number of private sessions, where the chairman believes that a public session would harm national security or prevent a candid investigation of the facts.

It is understood that the inquiry is to report in July 2009.
 
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