Northern Ireland continues to be a central priority for Mr Tony Blair and his Labour government - that is the essential and welcome message conveyed by yesterday's reshuffle of the British cabinet. Mr Peter Mandelson, who replaces Dr Mo Mowlam as Secretary of State, is a close political ally of the prime minister who will be in strong position to represent Mr Blair's views and take his own initiatives. Dr Mowlam has made a major contribution to political progress in the North and will be able to ensure it continues to receive proper attention in her new job as co-ordinator of policy in No 10, Downing Street.
These changes come at a crucial time for the future of Northern Ireland. Mr George Mitchell's review will determine in the next couple of weeks whether it is possible to implement the Belfast Agreement. Insofar as Dr Mowlam's replacement can be read as a gesture to the Ulster Unionist Party, which has criticised her, it should help Mr Trimble find the extra political space he needs on the decommissioning issue, as he clearly indicated he wants at his party conference over the weekend. Sinn Fein would be well advised to respond positively.
Mr Mandelson has many of the political skills necessary to encourage such an outcome in the short term and to manage the peace process whichever way it develops over a longer one. If the agreement is implemented he will have to oversee the bedding down of a democratic devolution regime; but he would not be made redundant by it, since major issues such as RUC reform outside its purview would remain to be introduced, requiring the closest political liaison with Mr Blair, but relieving the prime minister of the necessity to devote so much time to Northern Ireland. If Mr Mitchell concludes that agreement is not possible Mr Mandelson would have to revert to pro-consular mode, managing executive implementation of elements of the agreement, much of which would require close political liaison with Dublin. Either way Mr Mandelson's return to the cabinet strengthens Mr Blair's position - not least on European issues, on which he has taken such a forward stance.
The Taoiseach paid tribute yesterday to Dr Mowlam's contribution and dedication to Irish affairs, saying how easy she was to work with. Her enthusiasm, energy and friendliness as Secretary of State impressed many people on both islands, as did her inveterate optimism that an agreement could be made to work. As a result she was better able to make the peace process inclusive by encouraging the involvement of many sectors of society in the North normally excluded from politics, women particularly. Some of the offence she caused to unionists flowed from her manner of operating in politics; others from the difficult judgments she had to make, notably about the IRA ceasefire.
It will be more difficult for unionists or nationalists to run to the prime minister after this reshuffle when they object to this or that element of the peace process, irrespective of whether agreement is reached in coming weeks. If these changes encourage them to make up their own minds more often it will have contributed constructively to achieving a political breakthrough.