Mr Tony Blair reshuffled his cabinet yesterday and propelled former Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid into the front line of British politics as Labour Party chairman.
At the same time Mr Blair handed the Education hot-seat to former party chairman Mr Charles Clarke, an acknowledged cabinet "bruiser" and leading advocate of British membership of the euro.
While some Labour Europhiles were nervous about Mr Peter Hain's departure as Europe Minister, Whitehall insiders suggested his promotion to Welsh Secretary had actually raised the overall profile of the pro-euro lobby within the cabinet.
The sources also dismissed suggestions that Mr Hain's removal from the Europe post should reinforce the growing impression that Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown have already decided not to hold a referendum on the euro within the lifetime of the present parliament.
The cabinet reshuffle - the second forced upon Mr Blair within six months - followed Wednesday night's surprise resignation by Education Secretary Ms Estelle Morris following a series of controversies which triggered a personal crisis of confidence and finally persuaded her she was ill-suited to cabinet rank.
As the Prime Minister had given Ms Morris 24 hours to reflect on her position after she told him of her intention to quit on Tuesday, so Dr Reid yesterday revealed it had taken three conversations with Mr Blair - two on Wednesday night, another yesterday morning - before he finally agreed to the "terrible, terrible wrench" of leaving Northern Ireland at a time of crisis in the peace process.
Dr Reid said a major factor in his decision to bow to Mr Blair's wish was the fact that Mr Paul Murphy, the Welsh Secretary and previous political development minister at Stormont under Dr Mo Mowlam, was available to replace him.
And by last night Dr Reid declared he could think of "no greater honour" than to serve as party chairman because "the Labour Party is the engine which drives the Labour government". As chairman, Dr Reid will sit in cabinet as minister without portfolio, and will almost inevitably become known as "Secretary of State for the Today programme".
Mr Blair may not announce a replacement for Mr Hain at the Foreign Office until Monday.