socialmedian: James Purnell grasps the moment and strikes at the heart of No 10

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James Purnell grasps the moment and strikes at the heart of No 10

Source: guardian.co.uk Politics

Jun 04, 2009

Summary

Media savvy Blairite reformer had been hailed as Labour's best hope of avoiding disaster

To many observers, the career of James Purnell has been characterised by uncommon good fortune, a talent for forging connections, and an deft ability to make the most of any opportunity that comes within sight.

The sharp-suited work and pensions secretary might appear to be a New Labour apparatchik from central casting, with a CV of utterly impeccable Blairite credentials — former Islington councillor and BBC executive, with as many close allies in the media and PR as he has in politics.

But despite a manner that might occasionally hint at the spivvish (onlookers were alarmed recently to spot him wearing sharply pointed shoes with bright blue laces, while his special adviser wore matching purple laces), Purnell is a clever, thoughtful and ambitious politician.

In recent weeks he has been privately outspoken about the need for wide-ranging and fundamental reform of parliament, arguing that everything from party funding, candidate selection, electoral reform and cabinet collect

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