Mowlam set for new ministry?
28 January 2000
Mowlam set for new ministry?
FORMER Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam has been tipped to head the new rural affairs ministry which is being considered by the government.
Dr Mowlam, who is now Cabinet co-ordinator, confirmed to MPs that a Department of Rural Affairs – affectionately referred to as DORA – could replace the Ministry of Agriculture. Somewhat candidly, she disclosed that the idea of a new ministry "was not, not under consideration. The door is still open, it is not closed".
The Independent newspaper subsequently described Dr Mowlam as "minister in waiting". But one parliamentary insider suggested to farmers weekly that Andrew Smith, chief secretary to the Treasury, could be the man for the job. Mr Smith was the sponsoring minister for a recent report which recommended a radical rethink to rejuvenate the rural economy.
Dr Mowlam said she believed her role was to co-ordinate government policy and drive government departments to work closer together. The governments rural white paper, due to be released later this year, is widely expected to set out the governments radical vision for the future of rural Britain. *