1112: Live blog continues here
1107: Theresa Villiers remains shadow transport secretary.
1103: Latest Speculation from James Forsyth at Coffee House: Spelman and Duncan to move within Shadow Cabinet. "Other rumours doing the rounds at the moment are that Dominic Grieve will be moved to Justice and Nick Herbert to a frontline job, either Work and Pensions or DCLG. There's also speculation that Andrew Mitchell will move back to domestic portfolio".
1057: Confirmation reaches us that Peter AInsworth has been sacked.
1045: CONHOME EXCLUSIVE: ERIC PICKLES IS NEW PARTY CHAIRMAN
1035: Iain Dale reports rumours of a promotion for Justine Greening and that Peter AInsworth looks set to be sacked, having cancelled his engagements.
0945: Ken Clarke statement: "It is going to be a historically important election, and I don't want to sit on the sidelines - I want to be out on the pitch fighting for the change Britain needs. I have thought carefully about returning to frontline politics. I am doing so because this country faces a very serious situation - the gravest economic crisis I have known in my lifetime."
0945: Doorstepping Sky video of David Cameron's claim that Tories now have best economic team in Britain:
0937: The Sun is speculating that Chris Grayling may replace Dominic Grieve. Just speculation mind you.
News of moves in the reshuffle will appear here as they emerge...
Tim Montgomerie will also be Twittering news:
I say that bringing Ken Clarke back to the front bench is a risk for the Tories.
However that may be, the economic foundations of the country are falling about Labours ears this morning.
It will be interesting to know what other changes Cameron will reveal today. I have had a private bet that Justine Greening will be promoted to front bench rank.
Posted by: weathercock | January 19, 2009 at 09:31
I think keeping Ken out was a bad move. Regardless of his rather odd views (for a Tory) on Europe. There is absolutely no doubt that he is a Conservative and a very big hitter indeed. He is also respected by many soft-Labour types, and will bring in many votes at the next General election. We have settled our position on Europe but short of a lobotomy we cannot force our views on Ken. Just as you would never convince me that Cannabis should be a class B drug or that prohibition is a good policy. Some views have to be put on the back burner in the interest of party unity. So although I do not agree with the party line and I still write for anti-prohibition sites. I would not pretend that my views were that of the party. The same applies to Ken he can believe what he likes but party unity comes first, and winning the General Election is our most important collective goal.
Posted by: The Bishop Swine | January 19, 2009 at 10:49
"1057: Confirmation reaches us that Peter Ainsworth has been sacked."
Getting better and better!
Posted by: James Hopkins | January 19, 2009 at 11:06
Bishop Swine, agree party does come first as I have repeatedly said so we agree on that score.
What are your views on skunk?
Great that Caroline Spelman is to be retained in the shad cab as a person of high integrity and brainpower.
Good on Ainsworth, let's see DD back in old job and great for Pickles!
Posted by: Eurofighter | January 19, 2009 at 11:19