Has anybody else noticed how Blair’s impending departure has resulted in a massive spring cleaning programme within Whitehall departments with the “bad news” sweeping brush being more active than Mr Sheen’s elbow.
Let’s look first at the Ministry of Justice. Condemned by the head of the judiciary, Lord Philips, as “a serious constitutional problem”, the Ministry was launched only last week. The benefit of this date? Brown won’t get the blame because he was not in charge.
Then we have Patricia Hewitt. With departmental catastrophes such as NHS deficits, shortages of staff and post code drug supply, I actually wonder whether she goes to work on a daily basis. Last week she was forced to withdraw the MTAS job allocation system and forgot to tell parliament in person. The benefit of the cancellation being announced now? Brown won’t get the blame because he was not in charge.
Only yesterday Ruth Kelly was forced to withdraw the Home Information Packs (HIP’s) because of a legal review and the fact that not enough people are qualified to administrate them. Despite the fact that this housing reform has been criticised for years, delayed for months and is deeply unpopular with prospective buyers and sellers, Turner chose to with draw the scheme this week. What was the benefit of this date? Brown won’t get the blame……. Do I really need to finish the sentence?
With all the bad news out of the way, Gordon has a clean slate to work from, with Blair being held to account for any previously instigated catastrophes. Personally, I think Brown has cleared the decks so that he has plenty of room to make create his own cock ups!
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