BROMSGROVE'S rising star MP Julie Kirkbride has been tipped to land a job in the newShadow Cabinet, whoever emerges today as the Tory party's new leader.

But she is likely to put motherhood ahead of her career, at the moment.

Miss Kirkbride, once dubbed a "Hague Babe" features in two lists -- one representing Iain Duncan Smith's likely front bench, the other Kenneth Clarke's.

It was drawn up as a "fantasy" shadow front bench by Times leader writer Michael Gove in last Wednesday's paper.

Gove is also Michael Portillo's biographer.

Miss Kirkbride also got the thumbs up this week from Amanda Platell the party's former press chief.

Specifically mentioning Miss Kirkbride she called on the new leader to introduce "fresh faces" -- especially women.

"Behind every successful Tory leader there should be some good women," she said.

Gove tips Miss Kirkbride to become Culture Secretary in Clarke's line up but she is given the more demanding role of education in Duncan Smith's team.

He has Miss Kirkbride's husband, Andrew MacKay, the Tory's present Northern Ireland spokesman, as Clarke's chief whip but finds no place for him in Duncan Smith's team.

Both Miss Kirkbride and her husband are Clarke supporters.

They weighed in with their support after first choice Michael Portillo failed to get selected as one of two candidates from whom party members have been asked to choose.

On Monday Miss Kirkbride said she had "no idea" what the outcome of the leadership ballot, set to be announced this evening, will be.

She revealed William Hague had offered her a position on his front bench some time ago but she turned it down.

She said: "I'm very flattered my name is included in a list of possible shadow cabinet members, but I'm cautious of taking on extra responsibility now as my son is only 11 months old."