The radio reports a leaked email from Mrs Gove to Mr Gove that has a touch of Lady Macbeth about it.
“Beware Johnson, beware Dacre and Murdoch”. The positioning of the career of Michael Gove above the interests of the country, the consequences of the referendum almost a side issue.
It is hard to remember that just over a year ago we went through the arduous process of a general election to set up a fixed term parliament that would implement a set of policies.
The promises made by the political leaders are now forgot. The subsequent reforms promoted in the Autumn Statement and Budget are subject not just to the referendum vote, but to the consequences of that vote.
Pension taxation reform, London’s new runway – the plethora of public consultations must all be put back again , to meet the needs of politicians and their internal -infernal- disputes.
In business and in society at large, we need continuity and respect. Continuity of purpose so that what is said is respected. Respect that comes from trusting those who set out their purpose to keep to it. It seems on both counts, the British people are being badly let down.
The need for someone to stop , put a foot on the ball and take charge
We badly need a leader to emerge who can take matters forward in a clear and understandable way. Cameron appears to have had most of what was needed but has kept bad company, he has not delivered the commanding performance that was needed, there has been little continuity of purpose and the public has shown him little respect.
Boris Johnson is a menace. It took certain friends of mine – with sound judgement to show me what he is, but now I have unpicked the clown, I find him made of poor stuff indeed. It is one thing to be marketing manager for London, it is another to speak for the people of Britain. Boris Johnson does not speak for ordinary people- though we love to hear him speak.
The less said about our official opposition the better
As for Labour, we need an opposition that is capable of catching a falling knife. Right now Labour could not do that, I am not sure that it is capable of reforming itself any time soon. The absence of a credible alternative to conservatism is deeply worrying, especially as the Conservative party is in the hands of Gove and Johnson – and Sarah Vine.
Little appeal in rule from Edinburgh.
We have strong leadership in the SNP, perhaps we should consider that if we cannot govern from London, perhaps we should be governed by Edinburgh! That thought may be crystallising some thinking in the Westminster Village.
The spirit of Liberalism
We have a potential party in the Liberal Democrats, they are all but anonymous in Westminster, they are a party of non-Government, one of ideas and principles that have remained consistent.
In my opinion, the destruction of the Liberal party, which was achieved by the Conservative party , is party of the general political hooliganism that is characterised by Sarah Vine’s letter.
Many may ask themselves would they not be better off with politicians such as Clegg and Cable and Webb who clearly defined what they were about and acted for the good of the country.
I sincerely hope that the spirit of liberalism, of being a part not just of the EU but of a wider global community, the spirit of tolerance in which I was brought up, will re-assert itself.
This country deserves more than we are getting from either of the two ruling parties, it deserves a party that speaks for all parts of the United Kingdom and it requires a party driven by social purpose and not by the personal ambition of its leaders.
If we cannot have a Liberal Party in Westminster, I hope we have that spirit of liberalism. Or else we will have more of Lady Macbeth and her wrecking ball husband.