Government changes

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Fool.

Danny Dyer used a better word...

Since none of them are in Government, nor are ever likely to be in the current climate, that's rather futile...

Am I wrong in thinking that the government can invite any member of either house to take a ministerial role? It may well be the case that 'in the current climate' the government would not seek to find the best person for the job, but if they had the country's best interests at heart (and I realise that is a party-sized 'if') then they could choose someone who cares about it and who was, I think, rather good at it - like the aforementioned Adonis.

Irrespective of anyone's political views, Danny Dyer is an appalling character who advocates violence against women, the use of Class A drugs, and has a "career" largely built on the sycophantic adoration of career violent criminals and football hooligan "top boys". He is the epitome of the "lad mag" generation.

The use of controversial behaviour to reinvigorate a flagging "celebrity" career is of course hardly a new tactic, but the irony of Dyer using that particular epithet to describe someone else will not be lost on many......nor will the fact that he voted to leave the EU^» (European Union - about).

.....now it's time for my lie down! 🙂

[grahame]

I don't know much about Claire Perry, never really heard much about her if I'm honest although I believe she's a Wiltshire MP^▸ (Member of Parliament)? Perhaps she'd be good for the Transwilts!

Stations in her constituency are Pewsey and Bedwyn; TransWilts passes to the west. I've had the pleasure of meeting a number of rail and transport ministers and shadows at various levels and she has impressed to the highest degree.  Looking at other Wiltshire MPs, Andrew Murrison and John Glen would come to a DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) role without prior department experience, but would I'm sure do an excellent job; both have prior experience of picking up departments.

Adonis is no fool but he's hated by the current Left wing Labour leadership (which is probably a recommendation in itself!) so unless he can be persuaded to Cross the floor it's extremely unlikely. The Tories do respect him however hence his recent appointments.

Of course, the drawback with him, for those that rant about democracy, is that he's never been elected to anything, whether by referendum or other means! 🙂

I too 'ranted' about democracy when Andrew arrived.  Said I wasn't sure which was better - an unelected person, or a representative of a Scots constituency when rail in Scotland is very much at the guidance of Holyrood rather than Westminster. The principle of concern remains, but the man and his commitment and direction outweigh the concerns for me.  And I note that his politics have moved over the years, including the far forward looking view he took of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s development for a conservative government though he didn't stay with the current one that's a big too far right for his comfort.

[Red Squirrel]

Irrespective of anyone's political views...

It is a nuanced and complicated world we live in, and even truly awful people can be right sometimes.

Of course, the drawback with him, for those that rant about democracy, is that he's never been elected to anything, whether by referendum or other means! 🙂

It is a nuanced and complicated world we live in, and even truly awful people can be right sometimes. A propos, Churchill (quoting someone else) described democracy as "the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." In the US, local judges are democratically elected - which may sound better than our appointment system until one realises that to get elected you need money, and who better to ask for that than lawyers who, hey, might represent a case that you hear one day...

[TaplowGreen]

Irrespective of anyone's political views...

It is a nuanced and complicated world we live in, and even truly awful people can be right sometimes.

Of course, the drawback with him, for those that rant about democracy, is that he's never been elected to anything, whether by referendum or other means! 🙂

It is a nuanced and complicated world we live in, and even truly awful people can be right sometimes. A propos, Churchill (quoting someone else) described democracy as "the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." In the US, local judges are democratically elected - which may sound better than our appointment system until one realises that to get elected you need money, and who better to ask for that than lawyers who, hey, might represent a case that you hear one day...

The House of Lords has got very little to do with democracy.  They're appointed through patronage & are totally unaccountable to the electorate. That said, they do a pretty good job of holding the Commons to account, and in some cases bring very useful knowledge ,experience and ability to bear.

[broadgage]

In my view, a great problem in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) is that those in charge, whether elected politicians or appointed civil servants often seem to lack basic science and maths, let alone any understanding of those areas for which they are responsible.

IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion),  a politician or civil servant should know most of the following.

The difference between a kilowatt and a kilowatt hour.
How many milligrams equal a gram.
The difference between carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
The difference between milliwatts and Megawatts
The difference between a gas balloon and a hot air balloon.
And similar basic science.

[SandTEngineer]

They all seem very competent in using their mobile phones and posting on various groups.  Watch them in the background during PMs Question Time......

[grahame]

From The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Two vice chairs of the Conservative Party, Maria Caulfield and Ben Bradley, are quitting their posts in protest at Theresa May's Chequers Brexit compromise plan.

Both have warned they will lose their seats unless the Tories deliver Brexit.

Ms Caulfield told Mrs May the plan would be "bad for our country and bad for the party".

Although this creates vacancies, I don't see this particular cascade (is that the right term?) of Conservative MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament)  in government roles effecting any of the Transport team.

[JayMac]

Nope. Just affecting Theresa May.

Tick tock...

[Red Squirrel]

Nope. Just affecting Theresa May.

Tick tock...

For some reason I now have a mental image of a crocodile in a flat hat...

[grahame]

Yes, Jojo does not seem at all happy at Transport where he stumbles all too often. Perhaps Mrs May may fire off a couple of Johnsons on her own !

But isn't there something very rail about "JoJo" and "BoJo" ... or was that "BoBo" and "CoCo".  Sorry - clowning around, and remembering the MetroVic "CoBo"s.