Ashdown's old guard set to go in party reshuffle

Front bench

Charles Kennedy is planning to reshuffle his front bench in a bid to "sharpen up" his party's performance and reward top-performing Liberal Democrat MPs.

The party leader is preparing to drop most of Paddy Ashdown's old guard and promote a new generation of MPs in his last reshuffle before the next general election. The changes, to be carried out this autumn, were hinted at in Mr Kennedy's conference speech yesterday when he told a packed hall: "A reshuffle? Now there's an idea."

He believes changes must be made if the Liberal Democrats are to effectively target the Government and the Tory front bench.

Mr Kennedy wants to boost the party's green image and is likely to move Malcolm Bruce, the environment spokesman, from his post as shadow to Margaret Beckett and bring in a more aggressive performer. He is considering moving Mr Bruce into another role – possibly shadowing John Prescott – where his long experience of Westminster can be exploited.

Mr Kennedy is also expected to ask Alan Beith, his deputy leader who was also number two to Paddy Ashdown, if he will give up his post and accept a role as the chairman of a new House of Commons select committee. Evan Harris, the left-wing health spokesman, may be replaced by someone who can promote the "big picture" on health more effectively.

Mr Kennedy is considering giving Mr Harris, who has gained a series of hits against the Government on issues such as adoption, a job where his "attack skills" can be better used. Mr Harris is believed to want a job dealing with equality issues.

Some allies of Mr Kennedy want the leader to move Phil Willis from his education role because of his left-wing views. But others believe his experience as a headteacher, his good relationship with the unions and his bruising style are assets to the party.

Mr Kennedy asked each Liberal Democrat MP to write to him telling him which job they would like in a reshuffle. Simon Hughes is believed to want to move from his frontbench home affairs job to become deputy leader if Alan Beith agrees to move.

Ed Davey, the frontbench Treasury spokesman who is held in high regard, is certain to gain promotion.

Steve Webb, the work and pensions spokesman, is also well thought of by the leader's office. He is believed to want the health job but may be asked to continue to attack the government over its failure to provide for old people.

Paul Burstow, spokesman on older people, and Norman Lamb, a junior member of the international development team, are also being considered for promotion.

The party leader has been urged by senior MPs to promote Norman Baker MP, the party's chief "attack dog" whose questions brought down Peter Mandelson, on to the front bench to increase the pressure on Labour.

Susan Kramer, who stood in the election for London mayor two years ago, is expected to take a seat at the next election. Jenny Tonge, MP for Richmond Park, is expected to stand down with Ms Kramer the favourite to inherit the seat.

Menzies Campbell, the foreign affairs spokesman, is certain to stay in his role and is regarded as one of the Liberal Democrats' few cabinet-calibre performers. Mr Campbell, who has a high public profile, is still regarded as a possible contender for the leadership and Mr Kennedy is keen to keep him on side.

Yesterday, Mr Kennedy went out of his way to praise Mr Campbell in his conference speech, calling him "as responsible a colleague as any party leader could hope for".

Some of the Liberal Democrat leader's parliamentary colleagues have this week been openly critical of Mr Kennedy's "laid back" leadership style, urging him to take a more aggressive stance towards the Government.

Mr Campbell yesterday urged Mr Kennedy to "make sure the team is sharp enough to deal with the Tories" when he carries out his reshuffle in the autumn.