Milburn may lose out in cabinet reshuffle
Alan Milburn’s position as minister with the brief to reform the NHS appears increasingly assailable, according to the media rumour mill.
It is contended that Tony Blair may replace Mr. Milburn in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle to appease sections of his party vociferously hostile to reform and funding of foundation hospitals. Foundation hospitals are permitted to borrow more money on the open market.
Patricia Hewitt, Geoff Hoon or Wales secretary Peter Hain are tipped to take over, should the PM take the decision.
Clare Short is likely to face the chop.
The Guardian newspaper is suggesting as a long shot the PM may move the Chancellor Gordon Brown to the Foreign Office. But the bet looks a bad one.
The health reform bill receives its Commons second reading next Wednesday. Some analysts believe up to 100 Labour MPs could vote against the bill.
Yesterday, about 130 Labour backbenchers signed a motion condemning plans to introduce foundation hospitals in England.
Mr Milburn said on the issue: ‘When it comes to reform, the government’s foot needs to be on the accelerator, not the brake.’
