Then, in May, the prime minister faces what could be make-or-break local and devolved elections, when the rise of Reform could be what seals his fate. As one cabinet minister scathingly said of their colleagues: “I look round the cabinet table and I think back to the great characters of the Blair government – Mo Mowlem, Robin Cook, David Blunkett, Jack Straw. The reborn former leaderIf one person wowed the conference delegates all week at the fringes, it was energy secretary Ed Miliband. It is obvious his elevation to deputy prime minister is a moment of great pride for him but not the zenith of his ambition. open image in gallery Angela Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister earlier this month ( PA )It is quite clear that a number of people are now plotting her return in some form or other.