Kudos to Liam Fox

I didn't get home last night until about 1.45am so I missed the first hour of the by election programme, but one thing struck me was the performance of Liam Fox. He was superb. This follows another word-perfect interview he did with Andrew Marr a couple of weeks ago. One of my commenters, Trev, puts it like this...

I am no great fan of Liam Fox but he has done well when I have seen him over the last few weeks. Indeed this culminated in an explosion of disgust with the unhappy Labour spokesman on BBC TV last night. He was trying to explain away the pathetic leaflet that Fox had produced and I think Fox threw out something like 'oh shut up' in exasperation. (maybe you can find the clip - about 1.30am).

I found it hilarious that Labour put up Chris Bryant on the BBC programme. Admittedly, he didn't do badly, but it comes to something when they put up a lowly PPS rather than a senior Minister. The MacAvity syndrome strikes again. I felt very sorry for Lynne Featherstone who made the best out of a bad job for the LibDems - I suppose you could say that about their candidate, Elizabeth Shenton too.

An Example of Good Opposition

I think the Conservatives have handled the issue of the navy 15 and selling their stories quite superbly. Liam Fox, William Hague and David Cameron have been careful not to go over the top and instead have asked all the right questions without appearing to be too opportunistic, which is a danger oppositions all too often succumb to. Take this quote from David Cameron this morning...

I think Downing Street is in complete confusion and I think the Prime
Minister has got to make absolutely clear when he knew about this whole issue.
But, to me, what matters for the Defence Secretary is he has to pass two tests.
First, he has to show he still has the confidence of members of our Armed
Services, who are working so hard for our country. And secondly he has to give a
full account of himself to the House of Commons on Monday. And I think it is
very important he does that.

This is what proper Opposition is all about - hold the government to account, show you're on the side of the people affected, and then gently stick the knife in without anyone realising you've done it.

I'm not sure I would like to be Des Browne on Monday. But just as important as Browne's performance will be that of Liam Fox. He must not go over the top in his language, yet he needs to make clear the seriousness of Browne's crass decision. It should be an interesting afternoon.