TWEET 'N LOWDOWN - I see you one, and raise you one

I guess the 'big' story yesterday was the generosity and statesmanship of our PM.

Time will tell where this money comes from, where it goes to, whether it is used wisely and well, and what % gets redirected in the name of green if not for it.

I start with a post I made to Newsnight:

Headline: Why micro wind turbines don't work (with relative directions of vanes on weather cock and turbine in telling complement)

Text: In most urban locations in Britain wind turbines simply do not work

And folk wonder why the public are cranking eyebrows. There is what we know, there is what we don't, and there is what we are told. Seldom is this done without a narrative being enhanced or an event being interpreted.

Which becomes pertinent, and key, when it comes to what we are told*, especially about vast amounts of money to be dedicated to 'solving' things, which seem a bit shy on detail as to what, specifically, and how measured to assess enviROI, etc. Numbers do matter, even as science gets settled (if often in creative ways), and passed on by those we pay, and trust to be our guides.

It makes a nonsense of the claim made by the Energy Saving Trust,

But I am glad I persevered, as there was much to ponder of value, and I appreciated the maths lesson. Makes me wonder why such calculations are often beyond those who claim (all dutifully passed on by those copy-typing press releases as 'reporting') that 'such and such 'could' power 1/2 of 'so and so' for 'free' (exc: construction, operation, maintenance, repair and disposal).

And there is also the power of editorial, often, possibly, via omission:

3. At 9:01pm on 11 Dec 2009, simon noble wrote:
You forgot to mention that those big wind turbines are also erratic, so you need a big back-up source of power to manage the lows.

One just has to hope that, when given the massive importance of the basic intent to reduce GHGs, and the vast monies involved in securing that laudable aim, those with the power to take and dispense the funds in securing this, plus those tasked to hold them to account, know what the heck they are doing.

And are guided by honest, unselfish influences and not the lures of personal advancement, ratings, career influence, lobby-influence, bonuses, targets and box ticks.

*Clarified, often, only after the the hyperlink and/or in the small print.

As you'll gather, I appreciate a done deal when I see one; I just express the hope that it will be upfront and accurate.

And.. reported with competence and objectivity. I have this slight concern the media are every bit as much a part of the problem of public understanding and engagement.

guardianeco - Gordon Brown bangs heads and crunches climate figures in Brussels http://bit.ly/4PkeQ1 - as he is so good with numbers here

climatebiz - What's Keeping Climate Investment Out of Africa? http://bit.ly/6EjAcV - maybe that money in Africa often doesn't end up where intended?

UN - UN online tool allows people to track nations’ pledges on climate change http://bit.ly/6xLQpu - as to delivery...?

JaymiHeimbuch - RT @planetenvy Rainforest Nations: We'll Drop Deforestation Targets if Rich Don't Put Money on the Table: http://digg.com/d31Ca8A - Blazing Saddles anyone?

kate_sheppard - Stern: "We have to combine science and pragmatism." That.. would be nice

timesonline - Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy: banks should pay for climate change http://bit.ly/5YiQS2 - No reward for failure! Thank heavens I have very little in the bank. Mainly due to Mr. Brown p*ssing money away on things that don't work.

DowningStreet - PM: Excellent result in Brussels - got EU up to £6.6 billion for developing countries over next 3 years. Big boost for Copenhagen - like a drunk at an auction trying to impress the girls in the onlooking crowd

wwwfoecouk - Press release: EU barely budges an inch on climate: Commenting on the conclusion of the EU Council today, Friends o... http://bit.ly/8Nc1GF - sometimes twitter can throw up reasons to look around for more...

ThinkPolitics - EU agrees climate pledge that may boost Copenhagen http://tiny.cc/b0EE2 - and end up scratching your head

iaindale - Blogpost: Cost of Insuring British Govt Debt Rises by 1000% in 2 Years http://tinyurl.com/y9fg26h

guardianeco - EU set to double climate aid for developing countries to €2bn http://bit.ly/8L8ULR - Game, set and fudge?

TheIndyNews - UK giving £1.5bn to climate fund http://bit.ly/67eznH - we are a giving sort, apparently

the_ecologist - A toothless cap-and-trade scheme is a planetary wrecking ball http://bit.ly/6bCEW4 - let's see what we get

Meanwhile, in other tweets:

GuyKawasaki - The Six Twitter Types http://om.ly/cxBQ - Modesty prevents me assessing my self

fivenineteen - RT @twitwalk "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." ~ Thomas Edison #quote #creativity #green #recycle (via @quotme) - like, I need to explain:)

ChristianaCooke - A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be. Albert Einstein - like, some in science might need that explained to them, before they get too 'settled'

Ecosaveology - Google opens satellite images, tools, to study deforestation: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/seeing-forest-through-cloud.html

mickwill - I can't believe it! Just got up at 5.30 to get taxi to BBC Centre & they just phoned to say I'm not on at 7.20 now. GRR! - The joys of dealing with our media

jimpenny - http://twitpic.com/t5fnq - I save and reuse my false eyelashes, I care about the planet! (via @theboygeorge) - every little bit helps? I am presuming irony at play.

guardianeco - A £480 train ticket to Copenhagen makes it hard to care about the climate | George Monbiot http://bit.ly/71rfgg - No, it makes it harder to trust and/or believe in hypocrites who say one thing and do another. It's different. And rubbish pricing on more eco transport options is not mutually exclusive with caring that the bozos making decisions seem to be 'selective at best'.

mickwill - If you want to know if your boiler is g-rated for the Boiler Scrappage scheme, you can check here http://tinyurl.com/y8d7mvg - talk is cheap, knowledge is power, action is golden

wwwfoecouk - Safe #climate news: Helen Baxendale heading for Copenhagen: Actor, mother, campaigner calls for justice http://bit.ly/4rOMGZ - Bless, in so many ways

thegoodhuman - Wondering this morning if all of us writing about environmental issues does anything in big picture. What should we be doing instead? - My shed beckons

LilGreenFingers - New blog post where I get a bit cross with Kirstie Allsopp and her gilded pears... http://tinyurl.com/yctok2a - There's making and mending, and there's buying in posh shops, making and suckering daft luvvies, or not

timesonline - RT @Times_Live Is Man largely responsible for global warming? Join our live debate at 1.30pm today http://bit.ly/5MAzNo - I did. It was a zoo

richardbranson - Have a read of my views on @Virgin_Galactic ethics on @virgindotcom http://bit.ly/7hDqT7 -props for stating his case. Not asked or tasked once by the MSM

futerra - Ed Milliband on C4 using #sizzle message "we need a positive vision, let's sell dreams not nightmares". futerra.co.uk/blog/611 - Now, where did he end up at that notion? Guess we won't be seeing the ASA-referred, inaccurate, scaremongering ActOnCo2 bedtime story ad again, then?

journalismnews - PDA: ‘Algorithms will replace journalists’ http://is.gd/5jqNo - speaking of our mighty 4th estate... Well, it can often seem that much reporting these days is mainly cut and pasting of press releases with little checking or critical oversight.

MoreEco - Eco News - Budget to include electric car tax break: Company drivers who choose electric cars are to.. http://bit.ly/92TLqV - now, about the green 'leccy generation and distribution

Greengamma - 'Dirty' battery cars 'make more CO2 than they save' http://bit.ly/5R7T4P - see the issues, gov...media?

myzerowaste - My Zero Waste is up against Guardian ethical living and You Gen 4 best green site. Please vote 4 us! http://bit.ly/5uYTKH - sadly, Junkk.com nor Junkk Male RE:view were not deemed worthy*. But MZW was, and as she is also a contributor of ideas (and winner) to the site, she gets my vote:)

adamvaughan_uk - Voting is open for the @greenwebawards - go vote before 31 Dec http://bit.ly/5lccMM [disclaimer: I was one of judges who shaped shortlist) - *all comes clearer. he's not a fan of greens who crank eyebrows:)

GlobeGuard - RT @packagingdiva: A perspective about why #Packaging reduction goes out of the window at Christmas @ http://is.gd/5hSey - I find this site great for scoops on ppackaging to help RE:tie

..and finally, as we are a reuse advocate and it's Xmas...

CAGW - Make a Gift Bow Out of Scrap Paper: http://is.gd/5iZqO

And that's just the retweets in a day. I really can't be bothered to go through all the others I favourited, as they are usually the contentious ones, and really, life is too short.

The SADIM Touch

You'll need to think about it a tad (hint, in every direction)

Just seems some have it, and the rest of us are cursed that they do.

Inspired by some noting a certain person did not wish 'bon voyage' to the UK World Heavyweight boxing (now) champ.

Lions lead by Mynah birds

Just tweeted this. Decided it warrants a post.

Obama could go to Copenhagen, but only if the talks go well

Statesmen? What are they...11?

'In other words, if everything goes well, and it is clear that a historic climate agreement can be reached, president Obama will be prepared to turn up to share in the glory. If the meeting looks like being a horrible mess, ending up in acrimony and recrimination, we should expect the president to keep several thousand miles between him and the smell of failure.'

Mind you... 'Mr Brown said he would definitely go to Copenhagen, and urged other leaders to do the same.'

If any other 'leaders' learn from history, they'll keep several thousand miles from the smell of failure, too.

Newsnight - Ethical Man - Climate conference 'set to fail' (at least the headline is the less dramatic way round this time)

Is 'set to' the same as 'will'?

Anyway, interesting, as I read this the same day, coincidentally in the FT

Obama could go to Copenhagen, but only if the talks go well

I'm guessing that might mean a 'with regrets' RSVP then?

No photo-op, no President? All those Nobel gestures in vain, too.

When expectations get pre-managed too much, the outcome seems seldom optimal.

I am sure that if he passes he will be sorely missed, especially by our PM.

Enjoy the trip to America.

I forgot to add... 'again... and it's such a pity the BBC has no US-based reporters', as there is a certain irony in the sheer number of times a BBC employee ethically flies in the name of green 'awareness', especially in the name of get upwards of two readers... often.)

It... was... good to be back

Gordon Brown to warn of heatwaves and flooding if climate change deal fails

I already have a problem with this new reporting trend of telling us what folk 'will say'.

And hence, when I switched on a wee while ago to hear him saying it, I was even more crushed by the clunkiness of the message than its mere delivery managed.

The man is the kiss of death to any decent message on any worthy topic.

Telegraph - Forget Al Gore: Gordon Brown is the new Scaremonger in Chief - at least Al Gore has been concerned consistently for decades. As opposed to the last few sound bites.

Ch 4 - NEW - an email intro: CLIMATE CHANGE

Having saved the world from economic disaster, Gordon Brown has set forth to save the climate change summit in Copenhagen.

He has hijacked an economic forum of leaders gathered in London to deliver a speech in which he declares "there are 50 days to save the climate".

It comes at a time when the possibility that America might just manage to come up with some serious measures in time for Copenhagen, is becoming stronger.

Tonight, the chances that Copenhagen will either be scuppered or succeed. We will be talking live to Washington for an assessment of where the critical votes in the US senate now lie.

PM warns of 'catastrophic' climate future: http://bit.ly/1OZ0MB
Copenhagen: deal or no deal?: http://bit.ly/1nYnM8

I just wanted to see it again in print...

Could Gordon Brown save the Earth from climate change?

If only to see the words 'Gordon Brown' in the same sentence with 'save'.

At least it has my favourite qualifier to kick off.

You couldn't make it up...REdux

Well, at least one campaigner didn't have to cancel his trip to the protest because of snow.

Gordon Brown: A high-carbon official

Sadly, him having made the trip, it seems his host has. Nasty commute from the Oval Office to the rest of The White House when it's chilly.

Not exactly joined up government, is it?

Logic Free?

Or, at least consistency.

As domestic sales are trying to be boosted, and with an in theory commitment to the environment, I am unsure as to why the government and BBC is promoting flying overseas to buy iPods and bring back 16 litres of extra weight, duty free, in a plane.

Indy - Duty-free allowances double, thanks to Brown

Newsnight -

I'm still getting to grips with the logic of trumpeting encouragement to fly overseas to bring back an extra 16 kilos as an assist to economy and environment....

"Bing bong! We will shortly be bringing around the Duty Free bowser. Please have your credit cards ready. An additional irony-free amount may be deducted for lugging all this extra on board to satisfy newly-created demand, and then pad a few carbon credit schemes concocted between Brussels, Westminster and the City. Thank yew! Bing bong"

It must all add up somewhere.

I was an engineer once. Then I became an ad man (sadly no qualifications that get you in or on TV news commenting on 'stuff' in any form).

But I do have an ability to be inspired by substance, and also sniff out when the smoke and mirrors are being deployed (and not to focus the power of illumination).

At the moment... erring on the latter.

My poor kids.

Gaurdian - End of the party
This a brave, bold step and Gordon Brown is to be congratulated for taking it

Well, some might still see it that way.

Much like this glowing report, from another Friend of Gordon:

Duty-free allowances double, thanks to Brown

Now, remind me. How does flying to another country, buying their stuff and lugging an extra 16 kilos back here help our economy and the planet?

Do good. But don't spend it all at once

Gordon Brown's social enterprise vision

They do sound nice, don't they?

So I am relieved at the notes of caution being voiced, though concerned that they are being voiced up to a person for whom vision has not proven a strong suit to date, and who is not noted for his talent for listening, or indeed grasp of realities. But he does seem to know a good soundbite when he hears one.

As one who has been involved with, for sure benefitted but also suffered from 'commitments' to social enterprise, I wish more reflected the notion that 'the result is a reasonable salary and a sense that they are making a difference'. To which I might add 'delivering a healthy ROI to all involved'.

If customers don't like the product/service, and hence buy/into it, then sadly all these enterprises will become is money pits sucking funding from elsewhere. Or they will go bust.

Peter Jones' comments, rather colourfully expressed at the beginning ('do gooders' can rather set an unfortunate tone, and frankly passion for doing good can be a potent part... of the mix. See later) but more considered on reading later on, get closer to it.

Any twerp can have an idea. I know, I have. Lob in a bit of money you can, if relevant, protect the IP.

But none of this is much use if you don't flog it on. And keep on doing so.

And here is where I see a stonking great gap between stated aims, useful support and actuality. Government doesn't understand sales.

I have lost count of the number of Third Sector funds, forums, quangos and whoever, with natty offices and staffed to the gunnels, who are out there to invite you to submit, assess your plan and slip you the readies. Business Links, Chambers, Trusts, you name it. Awash with cash, seemingly concerned with the bottom line, but almost all designed to launch a box-ticking scheme, often with a pot of EU/taxpayer money, and then... get you to 'sign off' quicker than you can say 'match-funding'. And often the funding pot is pretty bare of actual serious dosh to dole out once the empires, especially often overlapping ones, have taken their cut first. It's like being bought an F-16, helped to take off and then bang, the guys in the back seat eject as 'their job is done'. You either crash and burn or get addicted to in-flight refuelling just to stay airborne.

Some do delve into the P&Ls and all the rest, but as it's an enterprise you are usually dealing in the future, with forecast guesstimates at best. And visionary thinkers are not usually too great at the numbers. So they will say what is required to be heard, and if it's at all social enough will get the launch money. As to what happens down the road...? Case closed. The caravan will have moved on.

Why can there not be more emphasis on matchmaking talents, bringing together the ones with ideas and assisting them by the introduction of a sensible complement (for every Trevor Baylis there has to be a Peter Jones whose introduction to each other will benefit both...the project... and the country), with more funding going into forging those business relationships such that a team is created to ensure that both the social and the enterprise aspects can be delivered, with returns, quickly and... sustainably. Once in profit, everyone can be happy, left to it, and support can move on to new, good works.

Or, the whole thing can be driven by targets and PR opps...

Gaurdian - Social Innovation Camp: finalists announced

Oh, what a state(sperson)

Finding a climate for growth

As to the agreeable (new adjective du jour?:) Mr. Brown, it might be worth looking back and seeing what he has said (or, more likely open-endedly mis- or possibly not spoke) vs. what he has done, on most things but in particular anything to do with my kids' futures on this planet.

As to the awesome thought and authority that has gone in to this... "This is not the time to abandon a climate change agenda which is important for the future... The climate change agenda is part of the solution for many of the problems we face as a world economy"... well, I bet those words stopped all those rowing in their tracks with their substance, depth, detail and insight.

But at least some, somewhere, will be happy. 'We' have yet another, brand new target. Apparently.

Let the lobbyists out of the traps and the subsidies flow!

Telegraph - Ed Miliband promises less hot air

Well, when it comes to assessing talent, everything is relative I suppose. Is there a bar on the shores of the Dead Sea?

Newsnight -

You know what I found most telling about Mr. Miliband (the Even Younger)'s vox pop was his acknowledging that he, and indeed most, involved would not be around in 2050.

For a pol today, that is enough for me to know that a) it ain't going to happen, but b) a lot of folk are going to see target-based careers enhanced and/or making a load of money in the short term looking like they are trying.

Meanwhile, this is another press release that I imagine is already filed.

If we are going to be exposed to this government's latest whirly wheeze, and especially with a ringing stamp of 'You're all doing very well, aren't I' from Young PM Queeg, might we at least have a bit of historical context from the last decade to see how the latest claims might stand up and/or work out.

INdy - Loophole in minister's new emissions target - Rather sets the tone: like "telling everyone you're going on a calorie-controlled diet but not counting cream cakes".

Guardian - Can Ed Miliband deliver?

Guardian - Post-bubble possibility

Guardian - Saving the economy or saving the planet is not an either-or

See, there I was, getting all awed by the massive brainpower and seduced by the compelling skills of persuasion that score one the big bucks in the halls of power, and then I got to this:

"I am confident that we have the bold and challenging leadership we need."

I am sure you are, dear.

Is the Guardian now in the business of posting job applications as well?

At least the posts in reply made the energy consumed reading on worthwhile.

Guardian - Another green dream?

I am continually amazed by the way some manage to divorce 'Britain' from its 'government' - especially in terms of words and deeds carried out in its name - and the 'people' who in theory have given their mandates through 'votes' to others, especially to blow their money in their name via taxes.

Telegraph - Ed Miliband, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, has his work cut out

Indy - Miliband's blueprint for greener homes - while I was on board with much here, some of the suggestions do fail on my current enviROI measures, and hence rather colour the overall thing with a wash of green.

Guardian - On our present course, the bold new carbon target is worthless

When one's course is set by PM Queeg of the U.S Less 'I feel your pain (well, the pay, perks and pension might help ease it a bit)', cheered on at every repeated Titanic iceberg-ramming by a collection of Westminster Useful Village Idiots already nice and comfy in the few lifeboats, I must say 'worthless' is what first sprang to mind, too.

This is one mutineer ready to sign up on this 'ship in a state'.

Guardian - The greening of Brown

So, if I read the first para right it is basically: 'A distracting chance to just look good to your mates in high places whilst blowing yet more on saying a lot but again doing b-all'.

If his 'towering intellect' hadn't understood and/or got interested until now, then he's a few gigawatts short of a becalmed wind farm.

You damn the man with the faintest of praise.

Indy - Rebels to force climate change Bill concessions

I'd just be happy with a world-class climate my kids can enjoy.

But hey-ho....

Unleash the targets, crank up the bonuses and let the box-ticking commence!

Have celebrity, will travel

It has already been noted that 'environment' is creeping down the agenda.

Even on Aunty it hasn't cropped up in a while.

So I guess there is no one around to concern themselves with all these celebrities and crews off hither and thither to raise awareness on this and that. Just two today.

Message and messengers again. While the topics may be valid, when Zoe Ball tells me Mrs. Brown and hubby are with her off to sorts things out elsewhere I am not sure my reaction is the one being sought.

At least she dodn't seem to have a book/show to sell.

The value of protest

Worth a read for the justification... and the replies (in the Guardian).

The sticky issue of climate change

An interesting insight into the causes, and effects.

Actually, having read his (rather long) manifesto, I have some sympathy.

I am also intrigued that in this day and age that such an assault (actually battery) on a major public figure is possible. I seem to recall in an early '24' the President character was attacked via hand borne nasties.

Interesting, but...

I stumbled across this en route to another piece.

Long hours and obsession with minutiae. No 10's private man

It could so easily have been passed over as yet another in the endless series of chatterati-calls drones we get subjected to these days, but my eye alighted on the first 'example' cited - 'whether the government should impose a deposit on bottles of soft drinks and beer, to encourage people to return them.'

Sadly, I for now remain none the wiser. It is to be hoped that, at some stage, an answer, and a good decision, may ensue. But maybe a newer process will take precedence over actually delivering any result. Another POOR - Show (Process Over Obvious Result, mainly for show). It seems to be a trend.

I have seen clearer mud

FactCheck: Brown's taxing PMQs

You gotta larf, eh?

Ch 4 - FactCheck: has rubbish tax been binned?

So now we know... what we don't know. Or do we?

'See no weevils, hear no weevils, speak not of...' anything that might pin one down, apparently.

Yet for all that, at each turn it all comes back like a boomerang, and a barge full of night soil hits the wind farm.

No way to run a country. Or anything, for that matter.

A matter of principle

If only Gordon Brown could drive

It's a shame that the subsequent thread posts show the polarisation such blog posts inspire, and which often render these things such a trial.

I have to say I have much sympathy with the basic thrust of this piece, though not specifically or restricted to driving, and its costs per se.

It just the worrying trend of quite significant decisions or, more often, impositions, being made on many by a few almost totally isolated from the actual realities and/or consequences of them.

Extending the automotive motif, beyond chauffeured ministers and taxi-fare redeemed Mayors, there is also the simple fact of the London-centricity of it all.

Simply put, you really don't need to use your car as much there, and certainly not to get to work. Ignoring the situation elsewhere, by politician, activist and even media, is positively divisive. The latest 'green' measures have done nothing to support more economical motoring options, or encourage any decent enviROI moves, and merely added a swingeing additional tax burden to those struggling to cope already with all the other costs imposed to pay for index-linked salaries and pensions.

The friend of my enemy is no longer my friend?

The green betrayal

It needed commentary.

Sorry to be flip, but I did wonder to what extent our media report on government based on stances taken in other media.

Because I do suspect that while he may have scored a hit with a greater readership (if not votership), our Dear Leader's grasping the nettle of the massive environmental issue that is plastic bags may have not gone down quite as well elsewhere as it did in the Daily Mail.

Rightly so. And though the audience base in papers such as the Indy does not compare, their front pages do get a lot of on-air profile.

And that headline doesn't mince words.

What is worrying is what follows - Green lobby turns on Government over failure to curb air and road travel - as that smacks of something divisive, which often means divide and, well, if not rule, fail to persuade.

However, the facts are clear, and don't make impressive reading, especially for a spin-obsessed government.

Trying to balance environmental imperatives and economic drivers is not an enviable task, but may trying to appear (whilst cynically not even attempting to 'be') all things to all people, such substance-lite, spin-over-decision fudge (what I think you get trying to mix Brown and green) is proving to be nothing to anyone.

Indy - Brown bowls a no-ball - Read and weep. This is what our national followership has brought us to.

Indy - Darling has the chance to practise what he preaches - Note the last section.

Indy - Rural dwellers are the victims of betrayal - And no one said it would be easy. Most eco-initiatives, especially regarding making us pay to travel (which we are either forced by circumstance, or addicted to) will hit hardest where?

N.B

The Prime Minister's green credentials are not in the bag

As interesting for the comments. But still all pretty depressing.

Guardian - Tesco versus Daily Mail: which will Gordon choose? - Well, he made 'a' decision, at least.

Daily Mail - Now eco-friendly Prince Charles teams up with supermarket chain to wage war on the bags

Great. First M&S. Then Gordon. Now Charles. And, er, Booths. The Daily Mail really is rallying a crack team here. All glowing examples to follow. And boy have they inspired everyone, if the comments here are anything to go on.

Speaking of priorities

Have Your Say: Revolution in the skies... disaster for the planet

I do of course look forward to dark threats from our Dear Leader, plus an open letter to your paper from family in support, replete with dentally-enhanced 2+2 snapshot.

Or not.

Our national followship, especially the PM, rather tends to go with the 'flow of now', as opposed to actually leading with priorities, consistency or what might be right.

Mind you, our media are little better. Nick the Thinker... spot on!

Now I am worried

Gordon Brown gives supermarkets one year to start charging for plastic bags ... or else

I wondered how long it would take for our Dear Leader to decide he was on safe enough ground to emerge from his bunker and take charge of this truly critical issue.

Not too sure if any of the other stuff, including a few other matters of pressing environmental concern, might register with his spinometer for a while now.

Thanks Daily Mail, for showing leadership to our leadership, and getting our priorities truly in the right order.

Gaurdian - How the Daily Mail seized the moment to go into battle - yes, but which one?

Is Ol' Golden losing it?

That's the question posed by The Spectator in an article that suggests that our PM is incapable of undertaking the task he has been handed.

"His behaviour is erratic and bizarre; he phones colleagues at all hours with imperious demands while dithering over every decision he has to take."

"He tries to big-foot every minister and meddle in every department for all the world as if he has an uncontrollable tic; he is the Touretter of public administration. Yet the more he meddles, the more everything falls to pieces underneath him."

Ouch!

Some of the comments posted are quite amusing ..... this from Jan Maciag had me smiling.

"the country’s leadership now consists of people whose sole skill is the ability to talk. They have had absolutely no experience of running anything as complex as a whelk store before they are catapulted from some dubious think tank into ‘running’ huge government ministries"

Now who can argue with that?