The Prime Minister is a well-read man. I'm sure he has read Walter Bagehot. Well, actually, perhaps not, because if he had, he surely would not have embarked on the constitutional vandalism that has wreaked so much havoc over the last few years. But he should remember that it was Bagehot who used to distinguish between the 'dignified' and the 'efficient' parts of our constitution. I wonder which of these applies to the recently neutered Deputy Prime Minister - after all, he could hardly be described as dignified and his old Department was certainly not efficient. I'm so delighted to see that he's retaining his massive salary and perks despite now only having to do a fraction of the work. I imagine all he will be doing now is the representative and ceremonial part of the job. So if anyone out there needs someone to open their village fete...
Friday, May 05, 2006
What Would Walter Bagehot Make of Prescott?
The Prime Minister is a well-read man. I'm sure he has read Walter Bagehot. Well, actually, perhaps not, because if he had, he surely would not have embarked on the constitutional vandalism that has wreaked so much havoc over the last few years. But he should remember that it was Bagehot who used to distinguish between the 'dignified' and the 'efficient' parts of our constitution. I wonder which of these applies to the recently neutered Deputy Prime Minister - after all, he could hardly be described as dignified and his old Department was certainly not efficient. I'm so delighted to see that he's retaining his massive salary and perks despite now only having to do a fraction of the work. I imagine all he will be doing now is the representative and ceremonial part of the job. So if anyone out there needs someone to open their village fete...
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3 comments:
Ceremonial, no real work, gets paid huge ammounts for doing nothing. I wonder whether Mr Prescott would describe anyone else like this perhaps, the Queen?
As a labour republican (or monarchy hater) sure he and others want to get rid of the Queen for the same reasons. Perhaps he should set and example and go himself?
Off topic, but Sky are carrying a report that Haley Newbery, the woman who had to go to court to get the cancer drug she needed, has died.
Hewitt the Hapless must be bloody grateful her position awas confirmed before that sad news broke.
RM
What on earth makes you think Blair is well read? He occasionally refers to having been influenced by MacTaggart in the 70s. He claimed to have read Will Hutton's book in the run-up to the 1997 general election. But there I see no sign that the printed word has had much impact on Blair's thinking. His primary influences are wealthy, usually fairly conservative people with high media profiles (Murdoch, Branson, Berlusconi, Cliff Richard). It's unworthy of a PM.
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