Loughton's axing is careless - but in Laws we must now Truss!

How many ministers have as much as nine years' experience covering their beat? Probably only a handful in British political history. Tim Loughton had seven in opposition and just over two in government covering the issues that are vital to the future of our society. But that counted for little as David Cameron decided to oust him from his post as children's minister. 

Loughton has been a good minister during a tough time. His longevity was an asset, building up strong but not-too-cosy relationships with many campaigners and out-and-out doers across the children's and youth sectors. He made great strides in helping to undo the demonisation of social workers and in recognising the importance of young people having a voice.

In opposition and (to an understandably slightly lesser degree in government) he always made himself available to this title. His axing is a big loss to the sector and crucially, to the children and families of this land. That "continuity of care" provided by such long service has come to an abrupt end as Cameron's aides maneuvered their post-it notes and hovered with their whiteboard markers.

Indeed, Loughton was, I'm told, just about to hold one of his now-regular meetings at the DfE with care leavers - which CYP Now helped originally to set up with the Care Leavers Foundation - when news of his axing was announced. Scott King, a 22-year-old care leaver tells us: "It feels just like when you are in care. We have spent two years getting to know and trust Tim and believe he had a really good understanding of issues that affect care leavers. Now he is just another broken relationship. An important figure in the lives of children in care vanished overnight without explanation. We will have to start all over again with the next person."

Alongside Loughton, Sarah Teather's expected removal means the ministerial slate on the children's and families' desk is wiped clean at the Department for Education. Her replacement and party colleague, David Laws, is widely ackowledged as a formidable operator, not least in his role in negotiating the coalition agreement and as the architect of the government's pupil premium. Elizabeth Truss, the Tory replacement for Loughton, is an unknown quantity by comparison. Other than her calls for childcare to be modelled on the Dutch system, and for childminders to play a much greater role in delvering childcare, we know little about her views.

They will need to get up to speed fast. In Laws we must Truss.