Never mind the quality, feel the width
Simon Hoggart on yesterday’s questions on House of Commons business:
David Heath, the Liberal Democrat shadow leader, wanted a debate on the fittings of the house because, he said, there was no space left on the shelves for all the government’s legislation. “The laws passed by this government since 1997 exceed the width of all those laws passed between 1235 and 1947!”
This was a stunning statistic, if true. And Mr Straw didn’t deny it. He feebly replied that nobody would seriously argue we should return to the conditions of 1235, or even 1947. As if that was the question.
Read Straw’s reply in all it’s prattish, wilfully ignorant glory here.’It is also time for the Liberal Democrats to spell out which pieces of legislation they do not like. Did they object to the National Health Service Act 1946…?’ he said at one point. You suspect he’s really rather proud that the shelves are groaning with yards of badly drafted and excuted New Labour legislation that constantly needs updating (witness, for example, the third attempt at the Mental Health Bill.)
And it only took ten years to outstrip what it took those other slackers 700. It’s like praising Robbie Williams as the acme of pop culture because he produces albums just about as often as he does turds while sniggering at Nick Drake because he died in obscurity leaving a small but perfectly-formed legacy.
Straw’s one of those people who’s against anything, however sensible, if it’s suggested by an opponent. He’d argue in favour of child slavery if a Lib Dem argued against it. And he’d argue in a way that made his opponent look like they’d been dropped on their head as a child.
He’s like Bart Simpson in the episode where Bart runs for the position of class president against teacher’s pet Martin:
Martin: (campaign speech) In a sample taken in this very classroom, a state inspector found 1.74 parts per million of asbestos!
Bart: That’s not enough! We demand MORE asbestos! (leads the class in a chant of `MORE ASBESTOS’)
To think we allowed him to represent the UK on the world stage for five years. It’s a wonder we weren’t invaded.
Looking at this lot, it’s time for someone to get down to B&Q.
Posted on November 17th, 2006 at 12:24pm under UK politics
Still, the Pope (not Pope Rat, the one before him) created more saints than all his predecessors put together, didn’t he? Surely it’s right that in today’s world a government that preaches the message of competitiveness should try and keep up with its Continental rivals.
As for Straw, he always seems to me to be a man who thinks very hard indeed about trying to do the right thing – and then never does.
This is the one that worries me, from your Beeb reference, “Digital Switchover Bill: To ensure elderly and disabled viewers can make the switchover from analogue to digital television.”
What will this bill do?
Give the elderly a new set-top box, with an upgraded aerial, or free satellite connection in places where digital tv is just not available?
Or is it just another smoke and mirrors exercise?
As for Straw, who could trust anyone who grassed up his own kid?
Yes activity is not a substitute for acheivement. It reminds me of the politician’s logic in Yes Minister- something must be done, this is something therefore lets do this. he is an idiot.