Well, well. Clear, confident and with backbench support, in her Commons statement Ruth Kelly promised a new law implementing a new vetting system to come to Parliament in February. Talk of the demise of the education secretary was premature.
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Comments
the very same new law that Sir Michael Bichard was told "couldnt find legislative time" has suddenly been found legislative time? Remarkable!
Yes, suprisingly clear and confident - though still rather too much wriggling. This was one of those times for David Blunkett type honesty. I thought that David Willets was particularly good - simple and effective questions that voters understand. Ruth Kelly is by no means off the hook yet. I'm feeling that the Cameroons are looking for an early scalp - which is why Ruth Kelly has been allowed her evasions and time.
Just to say also, you're reportage is much admired by me - your enthusiasm and insight on politics are terrfic - Sky News coverage is better than the Beeb - but their political editor's delivery trails in your wake.
Yes Nick, talk of the demise of the education secretary might be premature. But as usual with 'New Labour' they've now suddenly found parlimentary time to do something quickly that they've been aware of for months and previously chosen to ignore.
How much more professional the government would have looked if they had promptly followed this key recommendation of the Bichard report a couple of years ago.
The press should be slaughtering the government for making up policy on the hoof.
A new law? Surely the problem was not the existing law but poor administration and dodgy decision making. Looks like a desire to be seen to "do something" rather than a desire to admit to and solve the real problem. Typical but disappointing.
Nick,
you are right - talk of Ruth Kelly's demise was indeed premature. However, as I write this, Kim Howells is saying he was at fault for decisions made: is this falling on the sword to protect the more senior Minister, or are we going to get talk of his demise?
RK may have managed to avoid early resignation but the electorate of this country should be asking the question: How how has this Government failed to learn the lessons and implement the findings of at least three independant enquiries, undertaken while they were in office, into child abuse in this country?
The fact that some of the attention was diverted to Kim Howells, and this new law was announced, may help to defuse the attempting scalping.
Then again, the announcement of a second case this week of a similar nature may only make matters that much worse.
She has a very important day coming up next week, and I don't mean the potential reshuffle - her statement to the House will have to be very good.
This is a thoroughly despicable witch hunt. The politicians are being forced into thoughtless action that will be needlessly cruel and unjust. But the lives of innocent people are simply not important when it comes to collecting a minister's scalp (possibly leading to a Prime Minister departing earlier than he wanted).
This country sickens me.
K.