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The most used words by the media at the beginning of the
month were prevarication, dishonesty, immorality, money wastage
and sleaze. The target was the government and its ministers
and minions the culprits. The errors of Charles Clarke, Patricia
Hewitt and the escapades of John Prescott filled pages of
the press and writers and caricaturists really let go. The
Sunday Times man showed them "Caught with their pants
down." Top of the caricatures was Tony Blair, "What
a great team."; Clarke, "I'm responsible let me
put it right" and a verdict, tough on crime, then resign.";
Hewitt, NHS, "best year yet. Patricia blew it,"
and Prescott, starred, with the winding up "Labour show
their credentials." The cartoon said it all, the Government
is in a sorry mess. The words and pictures, excuses and apologies,
were recounted in such detail that we can add only that anything
that has been said about the state of politics in England
could be echoed over here, for the government. Its ministers
and minions have acted no more responsibly or honourably in
their dealings with us. Prescott's playing around is something
else. But then we have wondered about what is Prescott for?
He appears to do very little work of worth and his lavish
life style has so alienated him from his "Old Labour"
roots that to keep him in government as a representative of
it, if that be the purpose, is a nonsense. After a few days
Blair made the most radical reshuffle of his team. The expected
went with a few surprises. It is to be earnestly hoped that
the different and new people who have taken over will do very
much better. We may hope, for the availability of really able
politicians is in very short supply. That goes for the old
stayers and the new comers. Jack Straw has been replaced by
Margaret Becket, the first-ever woman Foreign Secretary; Charles
Clarke by Dr. John Reid as Home Secretary; Ruth Kelly moves
from education to take on the duties and responsibilities
of John Prescott who stays as Deputy Prime Minister will all
the emoluments attaching thereto. The changes in Northern
Ireland did not include Peter Hain who stays put but Angela
Smith and Shaun Woodward go to be replaced by Paul Coggins
and Maria Eagle. Whether Smith's going from education will
make for different thinking remains to be seen. Lord Rooker
goes to be replaced by David Cairns - a day late. David Cameron,
the Tory leader, said about the reshuffle. "What we need
is not new ministers but a new government." Blair's own
position, whether he stays longer or goes sooner, appears
to matter little for his "heir apparent" Gordon
Brown, is not highly regarded if the polls are to be taken
seriously. We have listened to the parliamentary debates and
the performances of the Prime Minister typically articulate
with their explanations, accusations, and justifications and
the Opposition questionings, disagreements and contradictions
by the Tory and Lib Dem leaders, Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell.
'It is a reflection of the attitudes of people to politics
in England that while Cameron has gained some popularity as
a leader, the party, in spite of the good election results
recently is not being sufficiently improved in its prospects
as to promise a change of government next time round. While
Northern Ireland Question Time is not an attraction to the
Commons it must be said that our Unionist politicians have
made their parliamentary contributions, heard by some, but
read in Hansard hopefully, by many others. Contributions,
too, have been heard on subjects of total UK concern and with
the seriousness they deserve. But as parliamentarians they
have their say, governments make the decisions. Well publicised
meetings have taken place. It would be unwise to make more
of the meetings than what happened at them. It is understandable,
though, that there are those who see evolutionary progress
in them. One good thing seems to have happened the unionist
parties appear to be more in agreement and less anxious to
target one another. Slow learners?
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