Even without secret camera men Alistair Darling being wonderfully honest (though definitely over-pessimistic for a Chancellor), can’t keep their bad new a secret:
Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, has given a stark warning to the Prime Minister that the economic downturn could spark a rise in crime, racial tension and terrorism and also result in a cut in police numbers.
Her warning, in a leaked draft letter prepared for Downing Street, threatens to undermine the Prime Minister’s attempt to launch a fightback by announcing government help towards people’s fuel and housing costs. He will promise this week “to mitigate the impact on middle and lower income families”.
Our government can’t even keep the smallest secrets from us. How on Earth could they be perpetrating an Orwellian conspiracy, as many of the more fervent libertarians insist they are, is beyond me. The idea that they would be capable of clandestine so-called ‘false flag terror operations’ is frankly laughable.
On the other hand, I think the scariest thing imaginable would be a totally efficient government. Imagine what they could accomplish if they knew what they were doing.
(Hat-tip Coffee House)
Oooh, sarky last sentence!
“A Home Office spokesman said that the department did not comment normally on leaked documents but the report was a draft advice on which the Home Secretary had not yet signed off. It had not been sent to No 10.” The Times et al
To precis, Jacqui did write the obvious to the PM. No idea if she continued with suitable recommendations. If she didn’t, why not, if she did why the truncated version? This was a planted leak, but for which reason?
For me, this is yet another attempt to undermine Brown, close to the conference. Expect more.
Tizzy
September 2, 2008 at 1:03 am