By BBC News Online's Nick Assinder.

Transport Minister Gavin Strang was being tipped for the sack almost days after entering the Cabinet.

The left-winger held a series of jobs in opposition, including agriculture and employment.

But he never really made a big impression and in his post-election role he has virtually disappeared without trace.

He was instrumental in drawing up the Transport White Paper but was completely overshadowed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in his role as Secretary of State for the Environment, Regions and Transport.

Tax blunder

Gavin Strang never made a big impression

Mr Strang found himself in hot water shortly before Chancellor Gordon Brown's first budget when he suggested the government could slap a windfall tax on multi-million-pound profits made by the directors of privatised railway companies.

He told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight: "A windfall tax is something which many people are talking about.

"It won't be easy, because these people have taken their profit. These people have bought the company, they've sold it and moved on.

"This government implemented a windfall tax on privatised utilities.

"This looks on the face of it something more difficult and slightly more complicated. But it is certainly something that should not be ruled out," he said.

In fact, it was ruled out by the Chancellor and Mr Strang was left with egg on his face.

But it is his failure to make any impact on the front bench that has persuaded Mr Blair he is dispensable.