Benyon resigns Options

[NWNREADER]

"Among those to resign include Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon. He tweeted: "On back benches! Three and half really fun years with much achieved. Really appreciate time working with outstanding ministers and officials."

Source

Now what can we slag him off for?

[On the edge]

If by politically astute you mean he follows today's definition - simply saying what Central office put out, no matter what, then no he's not. Sadly, in spite of protests to the contrary, we don't actually like politicians who are willing to give voice to their own convictions. Vanilla is such a sensible choice.

[Andy Capp]

If by politically astute you mean he follows today's definition - simply saying what Central office put out, no matter what, then no he's not. Sadly, in spite of protests to the contrary, we don't actually like politicians who are willing to give voice to their own convictions. Vanilla is such a sensible choice.

I completely understand, but I feel that Mr Benyon is more an 'obedient' Tory than anything else. What disappointed me with him is that he usually failed to explain why he or his department made some of the choices that they did. I was also uncomfortable that he presided over policies that conflicted with his background, if not his interest. I realise that is true of many MPs, but his estate and the activities within it benefited from a number of initiatives he presided over.

I do admit that we 'force' MPs to be guarded with their views, because if they were completely candid, they would never get voted for.

[blackdog]

. I was also uncomfortable that he presided over policies that conflicted with his background, if not his interest. I realise that is true of many MPs, but his estate and the activities within it benefited from a number of initiatives he presided over.

It's an odd dilemma, do you want a minister who actually knows something about the operations of his department - in which case this sort of conflict of interest will usually crop up, or someone who is clueless about the department, and hence will do pretty much whatever his boss, or his civil servants tell him to do. I can see the attraction of the latter to the party leadership.

It should be pointed out that the family estate also lost out financially as a result of some of the initiatives he was responsible for.

[Andy Capp]

It should be pointed out that the family estate also lost out financially as a result of some of the initiatives he was responsible for.

What were they?

One problem I have had with Mr Benyon is his apparent lack of transparency. With some of the things previously mentioned, he never really gave convincing reason(s) for his actions.