𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

As is often the case, people are frequently impatient for what comes next. In politics, that feeling is amplified tenfold. It explains why, in the final week before the Easter holiday, Westminster has been abuzz with chatter about impending reshuffles.

Word would have it that both Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch are poised to reshape their top teams, but for very different reasons. The Labour leader’s shake-up is purely about survival, a last roll of the dice after an expected horror show in May’s crunch elections.

One name that keeps cropping up is Angela Rayner. Will the Prime Minister bring his former deputy, but big political rival, back into the fold? And if he does, where does she fit in?

One suggestion doing the rounds is that she replaces Wes Streeting, another rival for the PM, as Health Secretary.

“Big job, chance to show she’s got what it takes, gets rid of Wes,” one source put it bluntly to me.

Bringing Rayner back would please a certain wing of a very fractious Labour Party.

The other major decision Sir Keir has is whether he finally jettisons Rachel Reeves.

It’s been a nightmare 18 months for the Chancellor and there are growing rumours that she is facing the axe.

With the economic outlook looking bleak, thanks to the conflict in the Middle East, things aren’t going to get any easier.

Replacing her would be a bold move but those supportive of it say it would show the public that the Government is “heading in a new direction”.

It is also “far enough out” from the next general election – expected in 2029 – for it not to be seen as a “kneejerk reaction”.

Another name frequently raised is Al Carns, the Armed Forces and Veterans minister.

That’s largely down to the former Royal Marine Commando’s own doing, repeatedly flexing his self-perceived leadership muscle in a string of interviews.

Meanwhile, a lot of chit chat I’ve had this week has been about a Tory reshuffle.

The reasoning is that Badenoch has fast become a popular and dynamic leader but her party is dragging her back.

She needs more people like her on the frontbench.

It has been repeatedly suggested that Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride, Dame Priti Patel and Chris Philp could be at risk.

I’ve also been told that James Cleverly has “all but checked out” from his role as Shadow Housing Secretary.

Katie Lam, Blake Stephenson, the MP for Mid-Beds and Windsor MP, Jack Rankin, are three names tipped for promotion.

Lam, the MP for Weald of Kent, has been the subject of claims that she could defect to Reform UK, although I’ve been told she’s “going nowhere” and could be about to be given a meaty job to sink her teeth into.

Speaking of Reform, their walkout during PMQs raised a few eyebrows.

From my perch in the press gallery above the Commons chamber it was interesting to see that two of the most recent Tory defectors – Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell – were more hesitant about leaving than the rest of Nigel Farage’s team.

It’s the Easter recess for the next fortnight, so the political bandwagon will scatter across the UK.

Fear not, the Express parliamentary team will continue bringing you the best of the coverage from England, Scotland and Wales.