Cabinet reshuffle: 'Scottish Secretary now has a vital role'

MOST attention in Gordon Brown's Cabinet reshuffle has focussed on the surprise return of Peter Mandelson to frontline British politics.

The arch Blairite, who was twice forced to resign from his previous Cabinet posts, is a controversial and divisive figure, so the decision to bring him back as Business Secretary is a bold and risky move.

But joining Mr Mandelson as one of only three new entrants to the Cabinet in the relatively limited reshuffle is a new full-time Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy.

He replaces Des Browne, who previously combined the Scotland Office role with the job of Defence Secretary. Mr Browne reportedly turned down the offer of swapping that for the joint remit of Scotland and Northern Ireland and decided to return to the backbenches instead.

Mr Murphy is said to have loved his former post as Europe Minister and there was speculation he would be reluctant to leave it for the job of Scottish Secretary, even though it does mean a seat in the Cabinet.

But he is taking on a key role and a big challenge at a crucial point. Together with new Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray, his mission – which he has chosen to accept – is to restore Labour's position in Scotland at a time when the SNP is in charge at Holyrood and still riding high in the opinion polls.

The fact Mr Brown has decided to make the Scottish Secretary a full-time post, not linked to another Cabinet role, underlines the importance he places on the role.

At the start of devolution, there was much talk of the Scottish Secretary's post "withering away". There was not much for him – or her – to do once the Scottish Parliament was up and running, people said.

But the SNP's victory in last year's Holyrood elections revived the significance of the role. The Nationalists' repeated claim is that they are the ones who "stand up for Scotland".

And as long as the Westminster politician who was supposed to be Scotland's voice in the Cabinet was having to wear two hats at once, Labour was playing into the SNP's hands.

One analysis of Des Browne's diary under freedom of information concluded he was spending only ten to 15 per cent of his time on Scottish issues.

So the return of a full-time Scottish Secretary is to be welcomed. Mr Murphy may lack Mr Mandelson's recognition factor, but in terms of Labour's Scottish fortunes his appointment is just as important.