The prime minister is today braced for another potentially rocky week which will see a major Commons debate on Iraq and a likely reshuffle.

On Tuesday Tony Blair will face an onslaught over the conflict from both the Tories and the Liberal Democrats.

Whilst the Conservatives still support the decision to go to war, Michael Howard will tackle Blair over the serious failings in intelligence surrounding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Buoyed by last week's by-election victory Charles Kennedy will repeat his party's opposition to the prime minister's decision to take Britain to war against Saddam Hussein.

Following the debate Blair is likely to continue putting in place the finishing touches to his reshuffle.

Smith - out?

In what would be seen as a calculated snub to the chancellor, it is likely that Blair will remove leading Brownite minister Andrew Smith from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Also likely to face the axe is Ian McCartney, the Labour Party chairman. Critics say he has failed to grow into the job and the loss of Leicester South is being laid at his door.

Labour's rising stars such as Douglas Alexander and Ruth Kelly appear set for promotion.

David Miliband, the education minister, is also thought to be on the up.

The future of defence secretary Geoff Hoon is in doubt - although some predict Blair will leave the minister in post or move the minister sideways.

Should he decide to move Hoon, however, then possible successors include health secretary John Reid and trade secretary Patricia Hewitt.

Brown dimension

Another minister who could face the axe is chief whip Hilary Armstrong.

She has failed to quell a series of Labour rebellions over issues such as Iraq and top-up fees.

Westminster watchers will also be looking closely to see how supporters of the chancellor fare in the reshuffle.

Signs that Brownites are losing out to Blairites will be read as a sign that Blair is preparing his government for a full third term under his stewardship.

That could reignite tensions between Blair and Brown and possibly pave the way for his exit as chancellor soon after the next general election.

Another issue topping Blair's in-tray is a decision on whether to appoint Peter Mandelson as Britain's next European commissioner.

Mandelson and Blair have held a series of face-to-face meetings recently although Blair is not thought to have settled on a final appointment yet.

The former Northern Ireland secretary has signalled his interest in the job, although his appointment would create a by-election and leave Blair open to the charge of cronyism.