This blog does not care if the defence secretary is gay or not. We are not interested in the ministerial code, having taken the position that ministers are supposed to know how to behave without one. We have read the interim report from the Defence Ministry, which misses the point and is little more than a list of buearcratic procedures. These are the issues.
In our democracy there are two complimenting arms of government. The Civil Service to implement policy and the democratically elected Governemt to make policy. The civil service is charged with providing continuity, expertise and experience; the politicians provide the link with the democratic will. In more recent times it has become common for ministers to have addtional advisers, paid for by taxpayers if their advice is technical and by the party, if the advice is both political and partisan. There can be conflicts of interest with this third arm of advice, so rules are set down.
If the reports are correct, in Dr Fox’s case we find ourselves in new territory, hitherto undreamed of. According to the latest disclosures, we have a personal friend whose officially unauthorised trips to virtually everywhere the defence secretary goes, are paid for by a mysterious group of ‘rich backers’ via retainer fees and who then acts on their behalf to encourage Dr Fox and the people he meets, including heads of state, generals and defence contractors, to follow a line which favours Israel and the US but is anti EU.
This is as dumbfounding as it is preposterous. It is an affront to the very concept of open democracy and a corruption of decent political ideals. How can it be that a country which allows itself to champion democracy in every nook and cranny of the globe, can at the same time allow a system in which policy can be covertly bought and influenced by the rich, without the voters knowing such a thing is going on?
It flouts any notion of a democratic constitution, whether written or not. It reveals a wholly unacceptable practice and strikes at the integrity of Cameron’s government. Fox must go. If he will not resign because in his view he has done nothing wrong, an assertion which itself beggars belief, he should be sacked.
The balance of the Cabinet would be maintained by appointing John Redwood in his place. One of the sharpest minds in the Commons, he understands the economic crisis and its numbers far better than most. He would have a grip on the runaway finances of the MOD, but he is passionate about a strong defence for our country. He has the bottle to face up the the brass who believe this is achieved by demanding every military toy in the shop. He is a staunch right winger whose political opinions are similar to the aspirations presently being scandalously financed by unnamed rich backers and pedalled across the world by Werritty whispering in Fox’s ear. Redwood is open, frank and candid. We all know where he stands. This is what democracy is about. That is what democracy is.
I desire learn a new language!
This language appears sweet to learn…
It is usually rare to find informed persons for this matter, nevertheless, you be understood as you are aware of what you are talking about! Appreciate it
Found your website from Yahoo, thank you for the great read.