GORDON Brown's inaugural cabinet will sweep Labour to a fourth successive election victory, Ipswich MP Chris Mole predicted today.Mr Mole, who was not expecting to be invited to take up a junior ministerial position, claimed the influx of new blood had renewed a sense of drive among party ranks.

GORDON Brown's inaugural cabinet will sweep Labour to a fourth successive election victory, Ipswich MP Chris Mole predicted today.

Mr Mole, who was not expecting to be invited to take up a junior ministerial position, claimed the influx of new blood had renewed a sense of drive among party ranks.

He said: “I think this allows us to build and go forward with vigour.

“It's a generally refreshed cabinet with new faces in new places and some good new young members.

“We have some time now to build towards the next general election.

“The polls seem to be coming back on track and I'm confident we will have a good couple of years and another successful election.”

Eleven members of the old cabinet - including Tony Blair and John Prescott - are not in Mr Brown's first administration and there are nine new arrivals.

Of those, the most significant are Jacqui Smith, who becomes the first female home secretary, and David Miliband, who, at 41, becomes the youngest foreign secretary in 30 years.

Mr Mole said: “Jacqui Smith is the first woman to be home secretary which is a wonderful signal.

“I'm sure she has the strength and character to take on a very challenging role. She has been very effective as chief whip.

“Miliband is such a capable individual.

“He will really bring a fresh style and I'm sure he will listen as well as led a new era in foreign policy.”

Mr Mole, who was one of a number of Labour backbenchers and ministers who last year attempted to oust Mr Blair from his position, paid tribute to the departing PM.

He said: “Looking back, Tony Blair has had huge success in leading our country for the last ten years.

“He has created a stable economy, invested in public service like never before and has worked hard to bring peace in Northern Ireland.”

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