I don't know how much truth there is in this, but it was reported yesterday that Theresa May could promote Anne Milton to Health Secretary.
If readers of this blog are experiencing a sinking feeling I don't blame you.
During her previous DH posting Milton not only introduced the tobacco display ban (a piece of Labour legislation the Tories had opposed when in Opposition), she also developed what appeared to be an unhealthily close relationship with ASH and other tobacco control lobbyists.
My post on the subject was headlined 'ASH's credibility goes up in smoke' but it could also have read 'Public health minister's credibility goes up in smoke'.
Milton's cosy relationship with ASH had been noted by this blog exactly twelve months earlier when I wrote:
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Smoking and Health yesterday celebrated the 40th anniversary of ASH with a function at the House of Commons. Here are some of the 'highlights':
Guests welcomed by Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams, chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health.
Williams, Labour MP Kevin Barron (former chairman of the Health Select Committee), and public health minister Anne Milton presented with awards by Cancer Research.
Milton said it was a pleasure to celebrate ASH’s "birthday party". She then presented Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, with the World No Tobacco Day Award from the World Health Organisation.
Accepting the award, Debs thanked those who funded ASH.
Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians, which founded ASH in 1971, wished a "very happy birthday to our baby, now our grown up child" and called for a campaign to "get rid of cigarettes eventually".
Prof John Moxam, chairman of ASH, compared it to his own birthday, and spoke of an "ASH family across the world".
Sir Richard, he said, was was "the father of ASH" and the support of the Royal College of Physicians has been "absolutely wonderful".
He also paid tribute to Kevin Barron who he described as a "warrior for the cause", adding, "ASH just thinks you’re magic".
Ms Milton, he said, was "tremendous", and had "won over the hearts of everyone involved".
See 'I think I'm going to be sick' (Taking Liberties).
I'm not sure what Milton has done in the intervening years to deserve promotion to the Cabinet, but if she does return to the DH it could represent a 'Patricia Hewitt' moment.
Older readers will recall that when John Reid was Health Secretary the Labour government had no plans to introduce a comprehensive smoking ban.
Instead Reid wanted to compromise by allowing smoking in private members' clubs and pubs that didn't serve prepared food.
After the 2005 general election he was replaced as Secretary of State for Health by Patricia Hewitt who quickly changed tack and threw her weight behind a blanket ban.
Last year I was surprised how relieved – complacent, even – some people were after the Government announced its latest Tobacco Control Plan.
The fact that no new legislation was included in the plan may be a positive (time will tell) but I've been around long enough to know that the tobacco control industry never stops lobbying government to make that "next logical step".
Imagine how much easier it will be for ASH, Cancer Research et al to sell their ideas to a Secretary of State with whom they have previously enjoyed such a harmonious, mutually back-slapping relationship.
If I was Deborah Arnott, the prospect of my old friend returning to the DH as head honcho would be the best New Year gift I could imagine.
I might even crack another smile.
Below: Anne Milton, centre, with Deborah Arnott, CEO of ASH, in June 2011
