Brown clears way for reshuffle as his popularity hits historic low

Gordon Brown has ordered his ministers to be in the country in early September ahead of a planned reshuffle to boost his flagging premiership. He has told them to be ready for a Cabinet meeting to plan Labour's autumn fightback. Loyalists want the Prime Minister to use the offer of plum jobs to keep potential troublemakers in line. Gordon Brown is currently on holiday with wife Sarah No decisions have been taken, but some well-placed sources insist that many big names will be on the move. Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Chief Whip Geoff Hoon are candidates for promotion, having emerged as the two figures with enough clout to confront the Prime Minister over his future. Mr Straw, who has been touted as a replacement for Mr Brown, could be made Deputy PM, while former MEP Mr Hoon could be promised the role of Britain's EU... [read full story]