Evidently the bellicose noises coming from the Prime Minister at the beginning of the week about Libya and a no fly zone, were the result of encouragement from two neo-cons in his cabinet, George Osborne and Michael Gove. It was clear to many that this was a policy fraught with complications. Quickly scorn was poured on it by the White House first and then, in dismissive tones, by the U.S Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, who said recently in a speech that any future President who got the U.S. involved in a foreign ground war to promote foreign policy would need his head examined.
Libya is now in the opening stages of civil war, though it is possible that the resourceful and eccentric Gaddafi will find a formula to appease the protesters. The West, in particular Britain and the U.S., will have to stick within the unanimous consensus established at the U.N. and use their military assets for rescue and relief, for which there will be plenty of opportunity. Mediation will most likely work if organised by third world powers or other Arab states. Already enough has been done to seriously impede the Gaddafi family’s options, freedom and wealth, to make a resolution of this worthwhile to them.
As for our own neo-cons, the report is mixed. Osborne is doing well on cuts but badly on banks. His ideology tells him to let them get on with it and pay what they like. He was opposed to nationalising Northern Rock. He was an enthusiast for Big Bang concept and light touch regulation, until it all collapsed. He hopes for a Sid style sale of taxpayer shares in the banks sooner rather than later. He will have to be watched.
Michael Gove is doing very well on getting the curriculum back on track, examinations being made a more relevant measure of useful ability and re-empowering teachers. He is doing badly on school re-building and especially badly on ideological tinkering with school structures for what are little better than focus group or whimsical reasons. He is being watched already.
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