Revolving door shows PM lacks focus on housing
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This is not to call Healey's abilities into question, but the MP for Wentworth is the ninth individual to hold the office since Labour came to power and the fourth since Brown became PM. And it now seems the first three of these, in the words of one former holder of the office, amounted to no more than "female window dressing".
Of course, Chatroom is paying homage to Caroline Flint's recent letter of resignation from her ministerial position at the Foreign Office.
Had Flint used the word feminine rather than female her judgement might have been called into question - her predecessor as housing minister until January 2008 was Yvette Cooper, who was succeeded by Margaret Beckett in October of that year.
At least Healey has a chance of holding the office for a bit longer than some of his predecessors but if things get any worse for the hapless Brown his time in the job could be even shorter.
Cooper's record on housing wasn't great, especially if you take into account her performance with regard to Home Information Packs.
Flint's time holding the portfolio was more limited but her profile was higher - sometimes for the wrong reasons.
Her signature media gaffe came in May 2008 when she was photographed entering 10 Downing Street with a briefing paper predicting that house prices were about to tumble. But Brown didn't cast her into the FO wilderness until last October when he persuaded Labour treasure Beckett to take the job.
Beckett, bless her, has been highlighted in the media for being somewhat imaginative with her expenses, although some may argue that she was demonstrating financial capability - an important skill for a housing minister.
She was outed in April for claiming at least £106,000 in second home allowances while living in a grace and favour home and renting out her London flat.
Healey should hit the ground running - he was a minister of state at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Also, as a former private secretary to the chancellor and financial secretary to the Treasury he has the right credentials. And he's a Brown man to boot.
Source:
Lending Strategy
