Margaret Beckett could return to the Cabinet in a reshuffle being planned by Gordon Brown for the autumn.

Close allies of the Prime Minister are urging him to bring back Mrs Beckett, the former Foreign Secretary, in a central role as a regular media performer, explaining and defending government policy. Jim Murphy, the Europe Minister, is also believed to be in line for a Cabinet job.

Mrs Beckett was dropped when Mr Brown took over at No 10 last June. But it is known that he was reluctant to lose her, and did so as part of an extensive change designed to give the Government a new look. But his allies say that Mrs Beckett’s solid skills have been missed during a dismal period when Mr Brown has needed an experienced performer to support him on the airwaves.

David Cameron last night revealed the latest stage of his plan to broaden the Conservative Party’s appeal beyond its English heartlands and set it up for winning the general election. He has set up a working group to explore the development of links with the Ulster Unionists.

Formal ties between the two parties last existed more than 30 years ago. If an agreement between the two parties is reached, Ulster Unionist MPs would be expected to take the Conservative whip and be invited to serve in a future Conservative administration.

Were Mr Brown to reshuffle the Cabinet in mid-September, bringing back Mrs Beckett, the Government would be given impetus at the party conference and greater ability to deflect Tory attacks.

Ministers say that Mrs Beckett, who has a long ministerial career going back to the 1974-79 Labour Government, was usually the first to offer interviews in support of colleagues who were in trouble.

One possible position for Mrs Beckett would be Cabinet Office Minister. That would mean working closely with Mr Brown, chairing key Cabinet committees and being another source of immediate political advice for him. An ally said: “Margaret has always been loyal to him. She could do it.”

Mrs Beckett, who now chairs the Intelligence and Security Committee, is known to have been disappointed at leaving the Cabinet and friends believe that she would be happy to return.

Mr Murphy impressed Mr Brown with his handling of the Bill ratifying the Lisbon Treaty, and he is likely to be a candidate for a new Cabinet post combining the roles of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland secretaries.

Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister who worked for Tony Blair as political secretary, is also believed to be in line for promotion. Those who might leave include Paul Murphy, the Welsh Secretary, Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, and Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary.

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