Promotion

for Jacqui

IT was very much a case of "girls on top" as Prime Minister Tony Blair shuffled his Ministerial pack this week.

And Redditch MP Jacqui Smith was delighted to lead the charge.

She was promoted from a junior education post to be Minister of State in the Department of Health.

"I was stunned but I was also absolutely delighted and I am certainly enjoying it," Jacqui said.

"I was hoping that I would still have a Government job - but couldn't have been happier when the PM rang to say he was promoting me."

The representation of women was strengthened at Cabinet level and in the middle and junior ranks by Mr Blair.

The most high-profile appointments saw Patricia Hewitt, Estelle Morris and Tessa Jowell promoted to the Cabinet.

They take charge of Trade and Industry, Education and Culture respectively.

Hilary Armstrong was handed the position of chief whip.

In the middle ranks, Harriet Harman was handed a return to Government as solicitor-general.

Among the women promoted into Government for the first time are Ruth Kelly, Sally Keeble, Hazel Blears and Rosie Winterton.

Maria Eagle also joined the Government for the first time, joining her twin sister Angela who switches from Social Security to the Home Office.

When asked about the boost for women in the reshuffle, Jacqui gave a diplomatic answer.

"I think there are lots of excellent women in posts and that can only be good for the Government and for the country," she said.

No wonder the Prime Minister promoted her.