by Paul O'Brien
Saturday 30 June 2007
At the
MJ dinner on Park Lane tonight, one of those events that everybody who is anybody is at (well in local government anyway). Andrew
Marr is the presenter for the evening and the sarcasm is cutting as the reshuffle is well and truly underway.
The first tier has been done with 20 of the 23 senior ministerial posts changed. Ruth Kelly has left local government for Transport, Hazel
Blears is the new Communities Minister and within an hour or two of her appointment arrives to address the 900 plus guests at the drinks reception. What a coup for Michael and Heather at the
MJ.
Phil
Woolas does a hysterical routine on stage where he talks about having packing crates outside his office when he arrived this morning, with a civil servant telling him it is just in case! He also continuously checks his phone waiting for the dreaded call, for Phil however I think it will be at worst sideways.
Tameside win the well deserved council of the year trophy and I congratulate Janet
Callendar the Chief Executive as she leaves the stage, well done to her and all her team, the hard work has payed off.
A great night is had by all and its after 1.30am when we slope of into the night.
