A sporting chance

Occasionally mentioned as a reshuffle candidate, Tessa Blackstone has been showing unexpected credentials for the post of Minister for Sport. Cornered by reporters after addressing a further education conference last week she showed a firm grasp of the party line by saying she hoped England would win the World Cup - and an even firmer grasp of reality by suggesting that Brazil were the likeliest winners. This follows her announcement, a few weeks ago, that she is an Arsenal supporter - although her choice of Manchester as a location for coming out casts doubts on her qualifications for a diplomatic post.