Express & Star comment: Underwhelming reshuffle is not a game changing vote winner
Theresa May's latest reshuffle in one word?
How about 'underwhelming'.
You could say the Prime Minister's tweaking of her top table is a very Theresa May-type reshuffle.
There are no great surprises, no bold moves and no headline grabbing new arrivals.
In fact, of most note is the shambolic way in which certain announcements were handled.
It appears that rather than take the opportunity to bring about real change, Mrs May is content to shift a few bodies around almost for the sake of it.
The old political trick of changing the names of a couple of departments was also evident.
On a local front, it is pleasing – although not unsurprising – that Gavin Williamson has been given the Prime Minister's backing to continue the outstanding work he has only just started at the Ministry of Defence.
And we certainly hope that Stourbridge MP Margot James' star continues to rise.
But in short, the whole affair was something of a damp squib.
There is no doubt that many among the Tory grassroots had hoped Mrs May would grasp the nettle and invite Jacob Rees-Mogg into a senior Cabinet position.
At a time when true activists are thin on the ground, and many in the country are failing to identify with the current Government, the arrival of Mr Rees-Mogg would of at least have offered some comfort that Mrs May remembers what Conservatism actually stands for.
Yes, he may have an eccentric demeanour, but there is little doubt that his old school Tory values strike a chord with many demoralised party members.
Certainly at a time when Labour is fronted by the hard left, blood red character that is Jeremy Corbyn, it would be a good move for the Conservatives to have a clearly identifiable face to say things that others may find unpalatable.
Mr Rees-Mogg has certainly not been found wanting in that department, particularly when it comes to matters of principle.
In that regard he has already displayed considerably more backbone than many of those sitting around the Cabinet table.
Theresa May has played her hand.
What impact it has on the Government's performance remains to be seen.
But a game changing vote winner it clearly is not.
