And it's Yes...Secretary

With the coalition government shaping up it only seems fair to put the new Cabinet through its paces and crack down on what really makes them tick.  And the ticks may sound different - given that the secretaries within the environment department are of different political colours.  So with Cameron promising ‘the greenest government ever', how will the secretaries stack up?

Caroline Spelman, environment, food and rural affairs secretary

Caroline Spelman definitely has the most experience of the secretaries appointed, with over 15 years' knowledge and experience in the agricultural sector.  Prior to her election in 1997 she was deputy director of the International Confederation of European Beet Growers in Paris as well as a research fellow at the University of Kent for the Centre for European Agricultural Studies.  She also co-owns a business with her husband working in food and biotechnology, and worked for three years in the National Farmers Union (NFU).

So with all her agricultural experience, can she stand up on policies to reform the common agricultural policy (CAP) and reduce regulations on farming?  No doubt likely to be lobbied by former colleagues at NFU, will the Lib and Con policies align enough to keep them satisfied?

Chris Huhne, energy and climate change secretary

Chris Huhne, as the previous Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, was one of five from the yellows to obtain a seat in the Cameron Cabinet.  His left leaning views almost secured him the leadership of the Lib Dems over Clegg.  His past lies mainly in finance, working for many years as a financial journalist - including for a period as Guardian economics lead writer.  He came to Parliament in 2005.  

Challenges lie ahead as the unlikely marriage between the Cons and Libs is further nurtured by Huhne.  The Libs want to reject nuclear power stations, yet the Cons support new-build nuclear.  The Libs want to increase the renewable energy target to 40% - with yet undefined comment from the Cons.  It's clear that a need for pragmatism and careful liaison is still key and Huhne seems keen to highlight his abilities and be this person. 

Cameron pulled three sectors for Huhne to concentrate his interests - the green economy, climate change and energy security.  With Huhne wanting to go "faster than ever before" and achieve more to tackle climate change than had been achieved previously, it looks like a match made in heaven.  But will Cameron need to watch his back, with Huhne's left leaning tendencies formerly setting him in very close competition in the Lib Dem leadership contest against Clegg. 

Phil Hammond, transport secretary

Phil Hammond has experience in the Con Shadow Cabinet and has been an MP since 97 - yet his experience in transport specifically is fairly limited.  His roles include chief secretary to the Treasury from 2007, trade and industry spokesperson and roles within the shadow health team.  It should not be discounted however that he sat on the environment, transport and regions select committee 97-98.

It goes without saying that coalition means compromise and it seems Hammond of the three has the most difficult earlier decisions.  While his party want to hold back on fuel duty, the Libs want to storm forward; and while his honourable yellow friends want a form of road pricing to replace vehicle excise duty, its fair to say the Con supporters would be rather against this!