SOUTHAMPTON Itchen MP John Denham was today revealed as the new Communities and Local Government Secretary in Gordon Brown's make-or-break reshuffle.

Mr Denham will move from his post as Innovation and Universities Secretary, to replace Hazel Blears who sensationally quit on the eve of Thursday's crucial elections.

He will be responsible for councils, fire services, housing and planning issues in his new role.

A spokeswoman for Mr Denham said: "This is the job that John asked for - and he has got it.

"As most people know, he has a long-standing interest in local government and housing."

The reshuffle followed a round of ministerial resignations with work and pensions secretary James Purnell calling on Gordon Brown to "stand aside" as he quit the Cabinet when the polls closed.

Mr Denham reportedly criticised Mr Purnell's decision to resign from the government as "completely wrong".

He said the rest of the cabinet were focussing on getting on with the job.

"He has just I'm afraid, got this one completely wrong. This is not what the government needs at the moment.

"More importantly it's not what the country needs at the moment which is why the rest of us are getting on with the job that needs to be done," Mr Denham said.

Councillor Royston Smith, Southampton City Council's Tory Cabinet member for economic development and a rival for Mr Denham's parliamentary seat, said: "I'm absolutely looking forward to speaking to the new secretary of state for communities and local government about the chronic underfunding of local government. It will make my job much easier. He's now in a position to do something about it."

Cllr Smith said he would be pressing Mr Denham to sort out the "undercounting" of the city's population, largely due to Eastern European migrants, and to bring for Government funding for stalled public projects.

A spokesman for the Labour group on Southampton City Council said: “We have known for many years that John is a very able politician and is respected not just locally but nationally as well.

“The new Cabinet role is arguably a step up and we are sure he will make an excellent job of it.

“In the Labour group we are keen to have a good relationship with the minister responsible for town halls and the fact it’s our own John Denham should make that easier and is good for the city.”