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Our culture of secrecy is a concern
Have you noticed how the government is eager to tell us what we don't need to know – but not quite so keen on releasing information we do?
Take the latest terror alert, for example. We were informed it was being raised from 'substantial' to 'severe,' which means the threat of some kind of terrorist atrocity is now 'highly likely.'
Divulging this fact can have served only two purposes, both of them completely pointless.
Firstly, if something unspeakable were to happen what difference does it make for us to know the security forces were aware of it all along, and unable to do anything about it?
Secondly, it makes everyone even more jumpy, because we have been alerted to a greater risk to our safety, while being utterly helpless in the face of it.
When it comes to the task of assessing and countering terrorist activity, the government is best advised to take our anxiety for granted and just get on with doing the best it can.
Of far greater concern is the culture of secrecy New Labour has fostered for the past 13 years – and two recent outrages show nothing has improved.
Lord Hutton presided over what, by common consent, was a shallow and unsatisfactory inquiry into the mysterious death of government weapons inspector, Dr David Kelly.
This week it was revealed his lordship had barred the release of all the medical records obtaining to the case – including the results of the post mortem – for 70 years.
And just to compound this monstrous abuse, he made the order in secret!
He only relented in the face of pressure from doctors and barristers, and experts will now be permitted to scrutinise the findings.
Now the Chilcot Inquiry (which Gordon Brown originally wished to be held in secret, you may recall) has been denied access to key documents detailing the build-up to the invasion of Iraq because the government will not de-classify them.
But New Labour will not be able to keep the lid on this simmering pot forever.
Enough evidence has already emerged to indicate Tony Blair may have led this country into an illegal conflict.
But the court of public opinion is not enough. We can only hope justice is served and he stands trial for his actions.
***
It's the little things people notice during the run-up to a general election – and flagrant hypocrisy is one of them.
Labour is no stranger to this, of course, with both Tony Blair and Harridan Harperson – famous class warriors both – taking advantage of selective education for their children.
Now David Miliband – an avowed atheist – has joined the tawdry group of opportunists by choosing to send his son to a Church of England school.
Not a massively significant event in the grand scheme of things you may think – but a timely reminder of a government that has grown increasingly unprincipled from within.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Light snow
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
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