Cameron Plans First Major Cabinet Reshuffle

There is growing speculation that David Cameron is putting the finishing touches to his first major Cabinet reshuffle as MPs return to Westminster.

He is expected to start making changes to his top team on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister has already attempted to reclaim the political initiative with fighting talk at the weekend.

He has promised action to boost the UK's flagging economy and pull the country out of recession after a bruising summer marked by an outbreak of internal dissent over his leadership.

In recent weeks his own MPs have accused him of "pussyfooting around", being a "mouse" and even a "chambermaid".

He will seek to reassert his authority over his restive Conservative Party with his first Cabinet reshuffle since the Tory-Lib Dem coalition took office in 2010.

None of the main offices of state are likely to change.

Foreign Secretary William Hague, Home Secretary Theresa May and Chancellor George Osborne are all expected to stay in their current jobs.

Other senior figures including Education Secretary Michael Gove, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond are also expected to remain in their present posts - leaving limited room for manoeuvre.

However, Tory party co-chairman Baroness Warsi is believed to be among those - including chief whip Patrick McLoughlin and Commons leader Sir George Young - on the 'vulnerable list'.

Baroness Warsi has been criticised for her performance in the key party role and has publicly appealed to Mr Cameron to allow her to carry on in the post, but some Tories want to see her replaced with a big hitter who can galvanise support for the party.

Much attention has been focused on Ken Clarke, who has made it clear he is reluctant to move, but has been accused of being soft on law and order.

Moving the Justice Secretary would allow the PM to appease the Tory right, who have been angered by some of Mr Clarke's policies and want a tougher approach.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who has come under fire for his NHS reforms, and Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan could also free up a few Cabinet places for fresh blood.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling and Housing Minister Grant Shapps have been touted as possible alternatives from outside the Cabinet.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has come under fire over his handling of the News Corporation bid for BSkyB, could be moved.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening could lose her portfolio to make way for Mr Hunt.

Mr Cameron may carry out a more far-reaching reshuffle when he comes to the middle and lower ministerial ranks, taking the opportunity to get rid of under-performers and replace them with new talent from the 2010 intake of new MPs.

The reshuffle could also give Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg the opportunity to bring the former chief secretary to the Treasury, David Laws, back in from the cold after he was forced to resign over his parliamentary expenses just weeks after being appointed to the role.

Jo Swinson, a Scottish Liberal Democrat, who is also a ministerial aide to Mr Clegg, may also be in line to move up.

The Lib Dem leader has also endured a difficult summer. Business Secretary Vince Cable was forced to come out at the weekend to defend him after some in the party began calling for him to replace Mr Clegg as leader.

There were claims that Mr Cable was "on manoeuvres" after his close ally, Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, warned the party may need a change of "management and strategy" if it was to stand any chance at the next general election.