Last updated 14:50, Saturday, 04 October 2008

FURNESS MP John Hutton was on a train to Barrow when he was suddenly called back to London to be briefed on his new job as Defence Secretary.

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He had been assured that he did not need to stay in London for the reshuffle, with many believing he was staying as Business and Enterprise Secretary.

But after last-minute changes to the Cabinet shake-up, he was phoned by Number Ten and told to return immediately to Whitehall to be briefed on his new job in charge of the military, government sources confirmed.

So Mr Hutton had to get off the Virgin Pendolino train at Crewe, break off several constituency engagements and head to the MoD to meet service chiefs.

Mr Hutton’s latest in a long line of jobs was announced yesterday as part of the cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mr Hutton replaces Des Browne as Defence Secretary.

Mr Hutton’s previous job of Business Secretary has gone to Peter Mandelson.

Councillor Dave Pidduck, leader of Barrow Borough Council’s Labour group, was among those welcoming Mr Hutton’s new government role.

Cllr Pidduck said: “Obviously, we’re delighted that again John has been given a cabinet post.

“All cabinet posts are important, but I suppose really there are cabinet posts which are really high-profile, and Defence Secretary has to be one of those.

“I’m sure John will be excellent in that post as he has been in the other posts, some difficult posts, that he’s held.”

“Obviously, we’re very pleased for John and it’s nice for the borough as well that we have a high-profile cabinet minister as our MP.”

Cllr Pidduck spoke of the experience Mr Hutton would bring to the role.“Since he’s been an MP, he’s had an involvement and understanding of what’s going on in the shipyard and shipbuilding industry, particularly with regard to the defence-based shipbuilding industry,” said Cllr Pidduck.“So that knowledge that he’s accumulated over the years will obviously stand him in good stead and hopefully the borough in good stead for the future. “I would say the news is on a par with the same kind of impact we had when Murray Easton and everyone else that was involved in the Astute programme got the programme back on line and secured future development of the Astute.“It’s on a par with that kind of good news story.”

The Tories are already calling on Mr Hutton to address some key concerns.

Councillor Ray Guselli, a Conservative and the chairman of Barrow Borough Council’s executive committee, said: “I guess we should be delighted to hear John Hutton is Defence Secretary.

“However, will the appointment benefit his constituents and be of advantage to the borough?

“Will he be able to ensure that the Astute programme will continue and that the middle sections of the two carriers will be built in Barrow as originally promised?

“I think this is something he needs to provide immediate re-assurance of.”

John Gough, the Conservative bidding to win the Barrow and Furness seat from Mr Hutton at the next general election, is demanding answers from his rival on various defence-related issues.

Mr Gough said: “I congratulate Mr Hutton on his move and I hope he will be able to give the job his full attention, something his predecessor couldn’t.

“My first question to him is will he give us a guarantee that he will do something about the appalling lack of armoured vehicles and helicopters in Afghanistan that is costing lives?

“I’d like to see a clear statement from Mr Hutton that he will do something about this very soon.

“I’d also ask him if he will be ordering the eighth Astute submarine and for the carrier work in Barrow to be confirmed.”

“I hope Mr Hutton will be able to secure adequate funding for our defence forces and I will hold him to account to achieve this.“Will he order further air defence ships for the Royal Navy? “The six Type-45 destroyers being built just isn’t enough.“Will he confirm the order for the final tranche of 88 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the RAF?“Will he give a commitment to an order for 150 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force?”

When Mr Gough was asked whether Mr Hutton’s job as Defence Secretary would make it more difficult for Mr Gough to beat Mr Hutton for the Barrow and Furness seat at the next general election, he said: “The country desperately needs change from this worn-out government and Gordon Brown’s re-shuffle is not enough.”

“Mr Hutton is part of a government that has put up taxes, presided over a boom and bust economy and has pushed borrowing up to record levels.“Moving ministers around won’t solve the problem, it’s just like re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.”The same comparison was made by the Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Liberal Democrat TIM FARRON said: “On a personal level, I am very pleased for John.

“It is a very appropriate move for an MP where the defence industry is so important to both his Barrow constituency and the whole of Furness and the South and West Lakes.

“This whole reshuffle seems like moving the deckchairs on the Titanic when we need a change of direction in government or, better still, a new government.” But John is a very efficient cabinet minister, and with the importance of defence through the BAE Systems shipyard, which employs 5,000 people and has many more who rely on it, it is a logical move.”

“It is good news for my constituents, many of whom work at the shipyard or whose companies rely on it.”

“I will have to stop bothering him on business matters and starting to do so on military ones instead.“It is good news both for John and the area he has got this elevation in the cabinet.”’

Shipyard boss Murray Easton gave Mr Hutton a good luck message and said he looked forward to working with him in his latest job. Mr Easton said: “We wish John every success in his new role.

“As our local MP, we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with John and we look forward to that continuing in the future as he takes up his new responsibilities for defence.”

Copeland MP Jamie Reed said: “Obviously I am disappointed that John will cease to be Business Secretary and in charge of the programme for a new generation of nuclear power stations. He’s been a great advocate for the nuclear industry.

“John has been the best trade and industry secretary for 30 years and his impact on my constituents in Sellafield has been immense. But I am also sure he will be an excellent Secretary of State for Defence.”

Harry Knowles, chief executive of Furness Enterprise, said Mr Hutton was the right man for the position.

Mr Knowles said: “Obviously, we’re very pleased for John that he has secured this critically important role.

“He brings to this role an unrivalled knowledge of the importance of naval shipbuilding, an unrivalled knowledge of the defence industry and a real understanding of the role of the Royal Navy in defence of the realm.”