Just about the least surprising political news imagineable is that Clare Short has resigned her post as international development secretary. After her very public disagreements over the war in Iraq, Short made her intentions clear by missing an important vote on foundation hospitals last week.
But I think it’s worth remembering what an extraordinary job Short has done in raising the importance of development both internationally and within British politics. The Blair government made international development a cabinet post after nearly 20 years as an offshoot of the Foreign Office. Short has certainly bruised some major figures in the international development world, as well as ignoring some diplomatic niceties. She has also presided (in close alliance with chancellor Gordon Brown) over a steady increase in both the amount and the effectiveness of overseas aid. Certainly if you look at her predecessors in the role over the years, she stands out for her achievements.