Where does Lansley stand after today?
Is he going to be able to stay in the job?
With Cameron making his big speech setting out what appear to be major changes to the NHS reform plan the focus will now be on the health secretary, Andrew Lansley.
There’s have been hints in recent weeks that there might a possible resignation if his reforms were altered too much. Only a week and a half ago the usually well-informed Matthew D’Ancona was writing in the Sunday Telegraph…
.."Number 10 accepts that he may well resign. Whether or not he does so, the final insult is the unambiguous signal he has already been sent by his most senior colleagues: that his departure, however regrettable, is a price worth paying. Anything – anything – to make this political horror-show go away.."
Ladbrokes still make Lansley the 4/1 second favourite to be the next cabinet exit. Chris Huhne (remember him?) remains the evens favourite.
My reading of Lansley is that he’ll hope to stick this one out in spite of what appears to be a major defeat for him. In any case I think that his going now would be seen to be adding to Cameron’s problems on the issue and Number 10 won’t want that.
I’ve got Lansley at 8/1 to be the next one out and I’ll stick with that.