Speculation is mounting in Westminster that Grant Shapps is to be moved from housing in a reshuffle that could see him promoted to a plum new role in the cabinet.
His new role is likely to be either health, succeeding Andrew Lansley, or to being chairman of the Tory party, succeeding Baroness Warsi.
Shapps, regarded as a rising star and even a possible future leader of the Tory party, has won a mixed reception for his handling of the housing brief.
While he was decisive about the abolition of Home Information Packs, he has been criticised for reforms of social housing which some see as too harsh.
Were Shapps to become party chairman, he does not lack experience for the role, having been the Tories’ campaign chief in the 2007 Ealing by-election.
During the general election campaign, there were rumours that he might start off in the cabinet as health minister.
While this did not happen, Andrew Lansley has had a hard time in charge of health. Delegates at the Royal College of Nursing conference voted 99% for a ‘no confidence’ motion in his management of the NHS reforms. He was also criticised for not speaking at the conference.
If he moves to the Department of Health, Shapps would be renewing battle with John Healey, who is the shadow health secretary, but was housing minister when Shapps was in the shadow role.
If Shapps is promoted, it leaves the question as to who would take over as housing minister, and one possibility is Caroline Spelman.
Any reshuffle is likely after the May 5 council elections.
EAT would be interested to know – how do readers rate Shapps as housing minister?
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Comments
"Those condemning Mr Shapps may never had dealings with him or his team. If you had, you would realise that he is very good at what he does - but he is entwined in existing red tape and law which cannot be changed overnight. He is a supporter of industry and the consumer and is very different from many other ministers in one major way. He listens. Sadly, he needs longer in the role to effect much needed changes....."
HAHAHAHA - what utter cobblers. Shappsy has clearly decided to switch from Tweeting, to Trolling on here!!
Shapps is an utterly compromised VI, in the pay of the industry but with no real understanding of how to make a meaningful difference that would benefit the people he was elected to represent. In reality, he's done nothing but delivered a consistent agenda to feather the nests of his donors - while claiming to "make things better for FTB's" which I don't think anyone, anywhere, believed for a moment. Check out www.theyworkforyou.com if you have any doubt as to who's interests he has protected from Minute One.
Slimy VI pratt. Good riddance and don't come back anywhere near the housing brief.
Those condemning Mr Shapps may never had dealings with him or his team. If you had, you would realise that he is very good at what he does - but he is entwined in existing red tape and law which cannot be changed overnight. He is a supporter of industry and the consumer and is very different from many other ministers in one major way. He listens. Sadly, he needs longer in the role to effect much needed changes.
Abolishing HIPS was a very bad thing as we had the mass return of tyre-kicking, living in cloud cuckoo land timewasters who typically react emotionally to a sensible offer as if it was a kick in the teeth. Thanks a bunch.
As for Shapps, he patently hadn't a clue and in any case was in the pocket of the housebuilders (having taken a lot of money from them). The fact that he is destined for PROMOTION rather than a firing squad merely highlights the dearth of talent in the Coalition.
Having said that the housing brief is a poisoned chalice as the right thing to do at this time - letting the air of the bubble so that the market can re-set and move forward again - would be politically very unpopular.
Srapping Hips, without consultation, was a quick easy attention getter. He always said he wanted to see the home buying and selling process improve but had no appetite to assist. Thankfully, there are companies like Clear still trying to make a difference. Is Clear and pre sale legal packs or even pre sale contracts the way forward?
Useless. No consultation. Lack of understanding.
apologies for all my typos but not the thought
He abolished HIPs in 5 minutes (not a difficult choice) and has doen what since?..other than drivel on twitter. Seems to be in the world of do not do anythign, do not upset anyone and get promoted. Cannot hide away forever Grant.
Of course he is moving he has been in the job best part of a year and the housing minister changes every year has done for ages. And all of them have been useless.
If Shapps is a future leader of the Conservative Party then they must be psyching themselves up for a long priod in opposition