How far can Owen Paterson rise? Some allies think he can inherit the top job. This seems unlikely unless he can improve his television performances. He did not particularly impress when he appeared on BBC One's Question Time earlier this year, though neither did he mess up.

Until now his rise has been quiet and effective but never spectacular. As the Cabinet's leading environmental sceptic, he is already firmly in the sights of the green lobby. His robust right-wing views will soon attract hostile attention from other quarters, too, now that he has a high-profile department. We will soon find out if he can raise his game.