Sunshine and smiles for lucky few in Downing Street

UK Political Correspondent

Wednesday 5 September 2012

THE bunting that decked Downing Street was there, strictly speaking, to mark the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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SKETCH Kate Devlin

But to those promoted in David Cameron's first unforced reshuffle, the bright colours must have looked as if they were there to celebrate their good fortune.

Certainly those who had a good day yesterday positively bounced into David Cameron's official residence.

Grant Shapps, about to become the Tory party's new chairman, almost jumped out of the car bringing him to the door of No 10.On a September morning and with, unusually, the sun shining in Downing Street, Mr Shapps had his jacket off and a broad grin on his face looking less like a politician and more like a Cheshire cat.Others were equally pleased with how their chat with the PM had gone. Jeremy Hunt, newly promoted from Culture Secretary to the job of Health Secretary, emerged beaming but appeared slightly stunned to be given such a big job just weeks after the fury over his relations with the Murdoch empire had placed his entire career in jeopardy. The day involved intense choreography and management from the drivers and handlers of politicians. One of the minders, jokingly asked by photographers if he had got a good job, pretended to look inside his jacket pocket and then blew on his fingers as if to say, "wssssh, it's a good one". One politician dispensed with a car altogether. Theresa Villiers, off to be Northern Ireland Secretary, did not sweep off in a ministerial Jag, but trundled out alongside her bicycle pursued by reporters. At least she had a smile on her face. While most ministers were told they had lost their jobs through a discreet word with the PM, others were not so lucky. Justine Greening, who had been Transport Secretary, emerged from No 10 looking grim after being told that she was to be shunted to International Development, and jumped into a waiting car as soon as possible. Inside No 10, the smiles must surely all have echoed those of Mr Shapps. Whether this reshuffle is enough to ensure they stay that way, however, is another question.

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Sunshine and smiles for lucky few in Downing Street

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