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Gordon Brown will not instigate a full reshuffle when he takes over Downing Street, a former local government minister has predicted. Writing exclusively for The MJ, Nick Raynsford MP, argues the chancellor will move several of his allies to key posts, and promote several high-performing junior ministers when he becomes prime minister on 27 June. Mr Raynsford backed speculation that current trade and industry secretary, Alastair Darling, could become the next chancellor. ‘Control of public expenditure requires a safe pair of hands above all. He would be a natural appointment, not least because he clearly commands the new prime minister's close confidence,' he says. He also expected communities secretary, Ruth Kelly, to return to the Treasury, and that Mr Brown will refresh the top team from some of the current ministers of state. ‘Jim Knight, Andy Burnham and John Healey all fit the bill and would make interesting appointments at education, health and CLG respectively. Yvette Cooper or Malcolm Wicks would be up to the intellectual challenge of DWP.' Whitehall insiders are tipping Liam Byrne, who recently published a joint pamphlet with Ruth Kelly on community cohesion, for promotion. The Home Office minister, whose father was a local authority chief executive, campaigned for Mr Brown to be elected unopposed. Mr Brown last week revealed a key adviser who would be at the centre of his new government. Jeremy Heywood, currently managing director and co-head of investment banking at Morgan Stanley, will return as head of domestic policy and strategy. A former Treasury adviser, he was Tony Blair's private secretary from 1999 to 2003, and effectively replaces Jonathan Powell. But in a break with tradition, he will be based in the Cabinet Office. Part of his work at Morgan Stanley has involved advising not-for-profit organisations on working with the public sector – an idea strongly supported by Mr Brown.

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WHITEHALL

Raynsford 'spills beans' on Brown's new Cabinet

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