If I was one of the 15 Royal Navy personnel being held by Iran, I'd be pretty worried at the moment.
Not just because of the obvious stuff - like being held against your will and forced to appear on Iranian State television - but because of who is in charge of securing their release.
Because if Margaret Beckett's track record at DEFRA is anything to go by then although she'll pledge to have them back within days, it will actually take months and you might find that she's happy with "the bulk" of them coming home sometime next year.
Of course, that's assuming the paperwork is all in order, the computer system doesn't "gum up" and her foreign office staff aren't too busy romping to get on with the delicate negotiations needed...
OK, I know I'm being facetious - and probably inappropriately - but the environment, food and rural affairs select committee report into the 2005 SFP crisis makes it clear that Mrs Beckett should never have got the job as foreign secretary.
She messed up at DEFRA and should have paid the price. Alas she didn't, and now she's centre stage sorting out a major international incident. Gives you confidence, doesn't it?
Comments (3)
I agree with the comments above, but would add that throughout all of the whole debacle, the one thing that stands out is the complete disinterest in the whole issue displayed by Margaret Beckett, displaying contempt for farmers. This attitude continued in her implementation of Cross Compliance, and has resulted in a climate of fear and rule books, and a complete disregard for the rural community. The sheer complexity of the way in which she wanted reform implemented, different schemes in different parts of the UK and her refusal to listen to those within the industry, and the RPA led to a muddle from which the Prime Minister bailed her out with a promotion rather than the sack. not a good reflection on this Government.
Comment left on March 29, 2007 2:44 PM
Posted on March 29, 2007 14:44
I wondered whether my posting yesterday was a bit of a cheap shot, but it seems i'm not the only blogger with this opinion. Madeleine Bunting on the Guardian is worth a read.
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/madeleine_bunting/2007/03/the_rewards_for_incompetence.html
Comment left on March 30, 2007 11:28 AM
Posted on March 30, 2007 11:28
I agree with the previous comments. However, do not expect admission of fault , apologies, regret, repentence or any form of behaviour displayed by decent people. Like Blair and Brown and others of that type, she is a Politician.
Comment left on March 31, 2007 7:26 PM
Posted on March 31, 2007 19:26