Star comment: Farmers' champion Owen Paterson 'culled'
And so Owen Paterson, the farmers' champion in the Government, has been culled.
who has only been an MP for four years, two of which she has served as an education minister.
While the departure of Mr Paterson is not being mourned by badger lovers, wind farm advocates and the green lobby generally, it does mean that the farmers of Shropshire and Mid Wales – and Britain – have lost a friend at the heart of Government.
The North Shropshire MP had a trait which is refreshing in the bland and highly-spun world of modern politics and that is that he said what he actually thought. You may not have agreed with what he said but here was a minister who played with a straight bat and did not duck and dive.
Through his background and experience, he knew what he was talking about when it came to rural issues. He had carried the banner – literally – for Shropshire through the streets of London in defence of the countryside.
His sacking is a low in an already bad year in which he has had a serious eye problem and has come in for flak for his handling of the controversial badger cull and the Somerset floods.
Liz Truss has no obvious farming background but, the cynical might say, she will be better on the television.
Mr Paterson has magnanimously wished her well and farmers will be hoping that she has the backbone to stick up for them.
Mr Paterson's departure to the backbenches would have been even bigger news had not the headline of the Cabinet reshuffle been the surprise move of Education Secretary Michael Gove to the less senior post of Chief Whip.
Champagne glasses will be clinking in school staff rooms as the end of term approaches. Mr Gove has made many enemies among teachers and the educational establishment. But he was a minister with a plan who stuck to it.
His replacement, Nicky Morgan, is little known to the public but is likely to be a more conciliatory figure.
Gove is a man with a media background and, let loose from his education cubby-hole, expect to see him more on television.
This is no ordinary reshuffle. David Cameron is presenting a whole new, greener, more female, Tory face to the public as the election approaches.
