Loyalist tipped for Cabinet is out in cold after decision to quit
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Your support makes all the difference.John Denham, a Home Office minister, and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, a Health minister, resigned from the Government yesterday because they opposed the policy on Iraq.
Mr Denham, 49, was regarded as one of the most trusted ministers and had been expected to be promoted to the Cabinet this summer. But he became a non-person within an hour of walking out of the Government yesterday morning. His name was immediately excised from the Home Office's website, although he had, in effect, been acting as David Blunkett's deputy for nearly two years.
His resignation was the first surprise move in a ministerial career characterised by caution, loyalty and an efficient managerial style. He was the quintessential New Labour technocrat, and after nearly four years as a minister of state, first at the Department of Health and then at the Home Office, he had been knocking on the cabinet door. Some colleagues believed he might never make it, nicknaming him "the crab" for his sideways career moves, but Tony Blair recently reassured him he would join the top team in the next reshuffle.
In his resignation statement, Mr Denham said he welcomed the opportunity to speak on the issues that "brought me into the Labour Party 27 years ago".
After university, he worked for Friends of the Earth and War on Want, where he demanded solidarity with the Third World against the strength of "international banks" and "multinational companies". He spent a further four years as a consultant to development charities such as Christian Aid and Oxfam.
Mr Denham won Southampton Itchen at his third attempt in 1992 and within three years was appointed to the party's front bench. Three months ago he deputised at several functions for Mr Blunkett while the Home Secretary underwent an operation.
He also took part in secret Whitehall discussions after 11 September about security dangers to Britain. His expertise in the area makes his warning yesterday that war with Iraq risked "fuelling terrorism", rather than combating it, all the more chilling.
Lord Hunt, 53, was seen as an unflappable and solid performer, widely admired as the Government's Health spokesman in the Lords. Though never mercurial, or as witty as some, he was regarded as a good communicator and liked for his bluff, straightforward manner.
His involvement with the NHS started in the 1970s, when he joined the National Association of Health Authorities, becoming its director in 1984 and leading it through its various incarnations to become the NHS Confederation, representing health service managers. He remained chief executive until he joined the Government in 1997.
Peers expressed sorrow at his "principled" resignation yesterday. Baroness Williams of Crosby, Liberal Democrat leader in the Lords, said: "I have been most impressed by his conscientiousness, care and concern and we shall all profoundly regret his departure from the front bench."
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