Search Comment Central
Downing Street

Only a radical reshuffle can save the Tories now

Peter Bingle
November 9, 2017

A reshuffle would inject competence and inspiration into this floundering Government, writes Peter Bingle. 

Has there ever been a more incompetent or useless government? The short answer to that is no. And yet the alternative, a Marxist government led by people who have no loyalty to those institutions and issues which we cherish, is so terrifying that most sensible people hope that the PM can somehow turn things around.

We live in times when mediocrity rules the day. The calibre of most senior ministers is just so low. Little wonder that most voters no longer care about what happens on the Body Politic. The parliamentary Tory Party is for the most part a joke.

The current scandal engulfing Westminster was always going to happen. Too many MPs and Peers have behaved badly for too long. Yet many of those who are condemning the behaviour of our elected politicians should look in the mirror and examine their own consciences. He who has sinned should not cast stones. There are many sinners in the Lobby. Hypocrisy is never pleasant.

The opinion polls suggest that although the Tory government resembles life in Rome under Nero, the public have no great desire for Jeremy Corbyn and his politburo to become the government. This provides the Tories with a once in a lifetime opportunity to clear out the Augean Stables and win the day.

Stage one is a populist Budget. The Chancellor must throw caution to the wind and deliver the most popular plans for the nation's finances since the famous Nigel Lawson Budget.

Stage two is firing the useless Patrick McLoughlin and replacing him with a political heavyweight who can defend the government in the media and rally the troops. Step forward Nicholas Soames.

Stage three is a massive reshuffle. This is a government of duds. There are so many hopeless ministers and Cabinet Ministers. They need to be fired and despatched to the political equivalent of the knackers yard. I could name them but I won't. We all know who they are.

Stage four is the PM utilising the best and brightest of her troops. Her government needs to include Graham Brady, Jacob Rees Mogg and Anna Soubry. It shouldn't include hopeless duds.

Stage five is a populist political agenda which offers hope to Tories and potential Tories. No more idiotic pandering to people who will never vote Tory. Time for realpolitik.

Stage six is clearing out of Number 10 anybody who is not best in class. Oh for the days of Andy Coulson.

If this all happens, the Tories will win the next election. Decent people will not vote for nasty Marxists who despise everything decent they stand for and care about.

The PM needs to act now. For all her many weaknesses – she is a political minnow compared to Thatcher – she is preferable in every way to Comrade Corbyn. Will she do so what needs to be done?

Silhouette
Peter is the Founder of Terrapin Communications. With a career in politics and communications that has spanned almost four decades, he is one of the country's leading public affairs practitioners. His career has seen him advise many top companies, including McDonald’s, HSBC, L’Oreal, Permira, Motorola, Camelot, Rolls Royce & Kellogg's.
Border
Most Popular
Shutterstock 2151518523
Moldova’s democracy is moving in...
Screenshot 2024 03 22 154542
Neil Watson
March 22, 2024
Image: Chris Dorney / Shutterstock
The Digital Markets, Competition and...
AAQIL AHMED
Aaqil Ahmed
March 27, 2024
Image: Pexels / Pixabay
Upright and high-calibre individuals should...
1390 15x15 2023 03 10 205315 awuy
John Baron MP
March 26, 2024