Overall, this year's Cabinet scores better than last year's, with a combined score in 2008 of 118 compared to 137 for this year. The higher score for this year reflects, however, an optimism that those new Ministers who have proved themselves capable in other fields, and who have started off well in their new jobs, will be able to sustain their performance over the next few months and, indeed, will be able to retain their positions after next year's election