In Blackpool

The loss of office is one thing, the loss of livelihood another. Paul Maynard is to be found on Linked In explaining that being an ex-pensions minister is not all that it’s cracked up to be

Paul is a kind, funny man with an interest in Blackpool, stamps and politics. He has overcome disability and created a success of his career. He is much liked.

He fell into the role of Pensions Minister and carried out his duties creditably. He was part of the death star , what remained of a shining comet 13 years before but by the time he became Minister, was shooting into a wormhole – which is best described by the Tory Party Conference, somewhere between two universes.

He has commanded respect, had his own bag carrier, been attended to by numerous lobby groups and he’s clearly found Westminster more fun than North Blackpool.

As he says on Linked In, the assumption that there is a job to go to for former ministers is often wrong. There is no such job awaiting Paul. There are many like him, the politician is envied in power and despised when not.

I met Paul Maynard on a couple of occasions and wrote in praise of him. I had nothing to win by praising him then or now. I commend him as much out of office as in and hope that once his parliamentary restrictions are lifted, he will have the career his talents and good humour should earn him.

As Minister