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and her an economics teacher too!!

We need less teachers, academics, think tank workers and lawyers etc and more people with real experience of life and business.

Looks like a sound choice if you're right about her character, Nick. Good follow-on to John Reid. The big mess is sorted out but success needs a good follow through. I'm sure she'll pick up her brief and get to know people fast enough, and well take a settled and long-term view of the job.

What bothered me is how people got hung up on John Reid's tough guy image. I'm sure she's just as robust but her image seems more tuned to moving things forward. It will be interesting to see how things develop within the Home Office and how the country gets behind her.

Thanks for the update!

Let's hope that this lady has a modicum respect for individual liberty and privacy and has the common sense to ditch the identity cards scheme at the first opportunity. If she doesn't, her party will pay a very heavy price at the next general election.

jacqui who is a timelord, she's concealed her time lord background through use of the chameleon arch, which is why the master (Tony Blair) never recognized her presence. Unfortunately she's lost her Tardis, otherwise it would have eased the pressure on prison places.

Nice to see that none of your weblogs mention defence, obviously Brown is right to think that no one cares about our armed forces, the disgusting slight to them, whilst they fight a massive police action in one country and a war in another, also on a day where another 3 have died, by giving Browne Scotland in addition to defence, will only dismay those who actually do care, which is not many it would seem. But then Brown only Cares about policies that will get him elected and increase his own power. On another issue it is about time that our politicians remember their place, they are public servants and we are their masters. They represent our views and when they fail we remove them, the Prime Minister is simply the head of that party which is in Government, he is not the President.

Are you seriously suggesting that Jacqui SMith's experience as Labour chief whip is why she was given the home office? In my opinion, of all the cabinet, she is the least experienced person for the job. It looks strongly to me that Brown HAD to appoint a woman, and there were few to choose from the Labour front bench; after ditching Beckett, Hewitt, Jowell and after already appointing another dour Brownite Scot as his chancellor; his cabinet by nine o'clock this morning was already looking far from varied or impressive. I'm not underestimating Smith, I just honestly think that John Denham would have been a better choice as home secretary, given his recent role as chair of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee.

good to see a Midland MP as Home Secretary - first one I think since Roy Jenkins [B'ham Stetchford]

I'm glad it's not just me who thought "Jacqui who?"

The problem is that 99% of politicians spoil it for the rest of them... Instead of riding the corrupt regime why not rise up and destroy the powers the be in a brave new revolution. Those sitting comfortably in the power place position have manipulated the meaning of their promises since day one. We must find the wise man and let him show us the way, learn from his wisdom and meditate to the meaning of life...

Meditate my friends, do not seek conflict with those you trade opinions with. For this is the very reason why man will fail to succeed his quest for justice in which human continues to endeavour...

Hope Jacqui resolve the situation of many Asylum Seekers family's who live in our country UK more than 5 years. Its not easy for those families lving with their children without work permit and without be granted. Hope god open Jacqui's mind and grant or give amnesty for all those family that were living in anguish without prospect on life. God help those.

We have just seen the Home Office relegated as one of the four great offices of state to be replaced by the Ministry of Justice.

Nice legacy John - thanks.....

Gordon Brown's agenda will be domestic in order to win the next General Election, and it seems to me that David Miliband has been given the poisoned chalice of solving the Iraq problem.

Brown has positioned a female supporter as Home Secretary who will not be a challenge to him while he is in office, but who will challenge David Milband when the bid to be his successor comes along, with the bonus of being Labour's first female Leader. It will add to the Party's appeal to the country to have the first female Labour Prime Minister.

When David says "We need less teachers," he rather makes the case for having more - particularly ones who can teach basic grammar.

So our new Home Secretary is a former whip. Clearly a past record of blackmail and bullying is the sole requirement for leading the law and order debate in the UK.

Depressing.

This third rate cabinet is hardly a match for their shadows, think about it who would you like to have?

home office minister Davis or Smith, health: Lansley or Jhonson, exchequer: Osborne or brown's darling darling, foreign secretary: Hague or Millaband.

Let's face if these people are compared on competance the Tories win every time!!!

I do find it odd how a relatively inexperienced minister has been given the role which has seen off Jack Straw, David Blunkett, Charles Clarke and now John Reid in 10 years. You'd think Brown would pick 'a safe pair of hands'.

Josh, I think the importance of the position of Home Secretary has diminished significantly with the creation of the new Justice Ministry. Previous Home Secretaries seem to have become inevitably overwhelmed by the demands of the post, but I think Jacqui Smith is probably competent enough to deal with the new range of responsibilities.

What's going on with the Home Office? I thought it was being split in two?

I wish I could find out somehow, but I 'spose with our Gordon's media blackout I'll never know.

I think all the photographers have embarked upon a picture famine with Brown's government.