Chris Mullin’s diaries, A View From the Foothills are amongst the most readable political diaries I have ever read. Now, via Hopi’s superb post here, I see we are able to read his views on some of the monumental events over the last few weeks, courtesy of the London Review of Books. Here’s a taster:
6 June. After days of angst the deckchairs on the Titanic have been rearranged. Alistair Darling is staying put. Peter Mandelson will henceforth be known as ‘first secretary’, which effectively means deputy prime minister. Incredibly, he has found a way of making himself indispensable again, not that his considerable talents aren’t urgently needed. Alan Johnson becomes home secretary. Bob Ainsworth replaces John Hutton at defence and Peter Hain returns as Welsh secretary. Not forgetting Alan Sugar, who has been appointed ‘enterprise tsar’ in place of the unlamented Digby Jones. Another classic piece of gimmickry which will inevitably backfire. Whatever next? Susan Boyle for culture minister?
A fine source of quotations as well as a good read.
Susan turned Broon doon. She’s with Piers now after all. And there’s Sarah to consider.