An odd reshuffle - Delighted that Gove has Gone, but why do Pickles and Smith remain?

I am delighted that Michael Gove will no longer be able to mangle our education system. During his time in office he has taken direct control of over half of Britain's schools, which represents the biggest centralised power grab for decades. The scandals are now appearing, with an arrest for an alleged £2 million fraud in just one Academy chain, millions wasted on half empty Free Schools were there are not enough children to fill the desks, whilst schools that remain locally controlled have had their building programme cut and and are overloaded. It is odd that other failed ministers like Eric Pickles, who has undermined local government services, and Ian Duncan Smith who has caused so much misery to disabled people, remain. They should have followed Andrew Lansley to the back benches, who was sacked for wrecking the NHS. The only really great appointment is Lord Hill, who will be our new EU Commissioner. A committed European he helped John Major steer the Maastriccht Treaty into existence. His appointment proves that Cameron is not prepared to back crude anti-EU policies just to win back support from UKIP.

LABOUR'S PLAN FOR LOCAL POWER

Labour's porposal to increase the independance of local government, and to receive more fund in return for public scrutiny is a long overdue re-instatement of the powers of the Audit Commission. It will enabled ordinary people to ensure that their local council will deliver value for money. This is not new but dates back to the Victorian era, who created the District Auditor service, abolished by this crazy Coalition Government. At last we have a party with a genuine commitment to returning power to local communities.

Of particular note is the power to combine adult care and NHS services for older people. This is now rolling out across Scotland, and will deliver better services at lower cost. An important policy decision that will improve older care in the UK, but will probably not get the attention is deserves.