Next day his deputy amended his script to defend their civilising influence, a point beyond historical criticism. Old Labour queued up to pat him on the back. In which case they may also know what will happen to other people frequently put into the reshuffle frame, the noisy and the silent. Dr Jack Cunningham is regularly tipped for the big drop, to be replaced by his deputy and Blair mate, Lord Charlie Falconer. All three are Old Labour stalwarts.
None is non-performing.
All are capable ministers. It goes without saying that whether or not Peter Mandelson gets back into government his name will also feature prominently in the reshuffle. The MP for Hartlepool tells his friends he is making no effort to come back yet, not pleading for office at all. But his name keeps re-surfacing, despite his protestations. Mandelson always adds spice to a story.