Of course, he could not have said anything that made me want to read 'the words' more than that! Frantically, I thumbed through every paper in sight until I found THE interview 'Weasel Man' Maude had given. It was originally in The Independent on Sunday, October 2.
The title was 'Top Tory rounds on core support over green belt : Francis Maude risks enraging grassroots over countryside and post-2015 government.'
It was written by Jane Merrick and Matt Chorley. Brave couple to venture into the quagmire that surrounds one, Francis Maude, Tory MP for Horsham, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. As I said in a previous post (Pooh-Bah calls the shots on August 3), he is a bit like a veritable 'Lord-High-Everything-Else' - none other than a modern Pooh Bah.
In the interview, 'Weasel Man' Maude turned his venom on the critics of the Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). He was particularly aiming his attack on bodies like the National Trust.
Asked (by Merrick and Chorley) whether he had sympathy for the National Trust and other opponents of planning reform, Mr Maude says:
No. I mean our position is right. I think this idea that creating a presumption in favour of sustainable development is somehow a massive erosion of the ability to conserve, is bollocks, frankly.
Ah! Ha! 'Bollocks', is it? So, that was what Arturo didn't want me to see! I've heard worse than that coming from within the portals of Nos 10 and 11 - but then, that's behind closed doors! His 'bollocks' was uttered for all the world to read! And did they read it? I should say they did!
The Daily Telegraph took up the cudgel, against this outburst, in the form of an article and their Telegraph View . The article was written by James Kirkup, Political Correspondent. He quotes 'Weasel Man' Maude's outrageous comments, then writes:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/8803014/Francis-Maude-launches-tirade-against-the-critics-of-new-planning-reforms.html
The planning reform has infuriated many traditional Conservatives. The row has been stoked by ministers’ attacks on their critics. In August, Greg Clark, the planning minister, dismissed opponents as “selfish nihilists”.
The National Trust described Mr Maude’s comments as “the latest in a string of insults” but insisted it would continue to negotiate with ministers.
Many ministers are privately angry about opposition to the NPPF, which they say is needed to revive the housing market and aid the economic recovery.
But Downing Street is coming to accept that a more emollient tone is required.
Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, whose department is overseeing the NPPF, also called for an end to public spats over the reforms. “I don’t think that we’re at the point of embracing,” he told Sky News. “But we are prepared to sit down and start looking at any individual objection.”
So! Even old 'Bagpuss' Pickles has seen sense! That was some achievement, I can tell you! Eric 'Bagpuss' Pickles, not unknown to foolishness and downright ignorance himself, actually thought a calmer mode might be in order! Well, well!
The Daily Telegraph, a staunch supporter of critics of the NPPF, had a strongly worded Telegraph View in today's online version of the paper. It stated in its now regular 'Hands Off Our Land' section : Planning critics deserve a more mature response - Francis Maude's outburst suggests the consultation on planning reform is a sham.'
It comments:
Intemperate language from government ministers has been an unfortunate feature of the debate around the proposed reform of planning laws. There has been a wilful attempt to traduce critics and close down the discussion that has not reflected well on those responsible.
It goes on to cite comments made by senior people in government who are angry with the critics of the NPPF. These include Bob Neill,a minister in the local government department, George Osborne and old 'Bagpuss' Pickles himself! He does pop up everywhere, doesn't he? When there's trouble - you'll find Pickles!
The Daily Telegraph had hoped that the so called 'consultation' was intended to be what the word actually means - namely a free and frank exchange of ideas without prejudice. Some hope, eh?
It seems that even 'Boy David' Cameron had :
sanctioned talks between ministers and the Government's principal critics to see if anxieties can be addressed.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8803175/Hands-Off-Our-Land-Planning-critics-deserve-a-more-mature-response.html
The Telegraph View points out that Cameron's more studied words and comments indicate that he, at least, is prepared to listen.
However, as Arturo and I discussed later, what on earth will be the point of these 'talks between ministers and the Government's principal critics', now that 'Weasel Man' Maude has uttered the memorable word to describe the critics' attitude as 'bollocks'? No doubt Georgy from No 11, 'Bagpuss' Pickles, 'Apple Schnapps' Shapps and 'Disgusting' Clark were all in the wings cheering and clapping Maude - after all he just said what they think. They're just careful not to use the term themselves.
This consultation looks like being, as Telegraph View suspects, a 'sham'! That is unless, of course, 'Boy David' can be persuaded to do another u-turn. That, however, depends on people like you, dear readers, making your voices heard!
'Bye'
No comments:
Post a Comment