British Politicians who should seek a change of career

Mrs Kelly has in the past been credited some prospects, but her lacklustre performance in the Education Department has been topped (in every sense) by the sad way in which she sought to implement reforms to the British Conveyancing system, about which she is surely lacking in direct experience; and in respect of which she avoided any discussions with the major stakeholders therein, in case they should advert her to any weakness in the changes she proposed. Now she has been sent to the Department of Transport. Expect square wheels on the buses. So far (Sep 07) we have seen her interfere in the essential Crossrail project, and (November 07) recommend an expansion in Heathrow airport. Thanks Ms Kelly. Just what we need as fuel starts to run out and the planet gets overheated.

A minister for Housing who has suggested that Council Tenants be required to seek jobs or lose their homes. Quite apart from the administrative hassle involved in assessing whether someone is trying hard enough, the consequences of having thousands (or is it so many) of unemployed people wandering around have been made homeless are likely to be higher crime rates and more admissions to hospital. This stupid idea was presumably an attempt to gain headlines.

Sadly, David Davis has done nothing in his capacity as Shadow Home Secretary except to emulate the antics of his opposite numbers. This post is one of the few which genuinely offers the opportunity of constructive opposition. But all we have had is media-supported knee-jerk stuff.