John Reid has said that he will be leaving the Cabinet when “Tony Blair goes”. He was regarded as the last hope for a heavyweight political figure to enter the Labour leadership race but has ruled himself out of that because there is “no eagerness” in the party for an election – probably because everyone has far too great connections to Brown and his ambition to be Prime Minister.

Reid says he is leaving the Cabinet to “give maximum opportunity to Gordon to bring in new people,” and to spend more time with his family and watching football, even though Gordon has “made plain to me there is a position in his government for me, but he understands and he accepts my decision on this.” Gordo may have made such a promise – but probably would not give him the high-powered job Reid wanted. But since Reid appears to be fully supporting Brown’s bid, maybe there’s another perk offered instead – such as a cushy job in the Lords? Or maybe as Britain’s next European Commissioner?

However, having been in at least nine jobs in the last ten years [1997: Armed forces minister; 1998: Transport minister; 1999: Scottish Secretary; 2001: NI Secretary; 2003: Labour Chairman, Commons leader, Health Secretary; 2005: Defence Secretary; 2006: Home Secretary] surely his tenure at the Home Office has to be coming on to one of the longest periods he’s actually spent in one job. And now things are catching up with him there (which Reid will, of course, blame all the problems about to arise in the Home Office on it being “not fit for purpose”). Iain Dale says that Reid:

“Until the last two weeks it had been his firm intention to stand. But he [Reid] knows that his mismanagement of the Home Office is about to catch up with him… Several chickens are about to come home to roost for the good Doctor and he will pay for his policy of making a big announcement and then letting his officials do the legwork.
But even worse than tht, he got to hear of a big tabloid scandal brewing, which portrayed him, shall we say, in a less than chivalrous light. It was clear that the newspaper concerned was preparing to run the story if and when he announced his candidacy.”

This of course adds another aspect to this change of heart. He wanted to run – indeed, intended to run – but decided to chicken out and step out of the Cabinet completely. Quite a reversal really. Either this scandal Iain knows about is either so bad that he would have to resign (or be sacked) anyway or he refuses to serve under Brown as PM. My guess is on the latter.

Reid’s only question now seems to be: “Where’s the exit?”

Sources: BBC – article 1, article 2; The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Iain Dale’s Diary

UPDATE: My assumption that Reid decided to quit only after being told that he would not get the job he wanted in Brown’s Cabinet appears to be true. Fraser Nelson on the Spectator Blog is reporting that: “The latest Westminster gossip: he was told by Gordon Brown he wouldn’t be Home Secretary or Foreign Secretary—the only acceptable alternative for him.” (via Guido)