They Blog For You

William Hague went to Afghanistan. A fortnight later so did David Cameron.

On separate days they reported back to the House so that we backbench MPs could question them. Hague reported:

‘Optimism. Brave soldiers. Taliban on the run. More optimism. Afghan Army and Police getting ready. Shame about the casualties. But above all else optimism.’

Cameron breezily reported:

‘Optimism. Brave soldiers. English footie team for the World Cup. Taliban on the run. More optimism. Afghan Army and Police getting ready. Shame about the casualties. But above all else optimism.’

Neither said a word in their lengthy reports about the most significant events of their trips. Neither could complete their carefully planned itineries. They had to cancel their main destinations because of the strength of the Taliban threat. Trips designed to prove our strength, demonstrated our weakness.

Only today are we told that the attempt on Cameron’s life on June 10 was "much closer than anyone said at the time". But no one said a word then.

Does anyone still believe that the Government is not in denial about Afghanistan?

 

Flight off

Sadly it’s ‘no’ to Costa Rica. I’ve never been there and the invitation to address an international symposium on Swine Flu was almost irresistible. It’s taking place when parliament is in recess and there would be no expenses to the British taxpayer. I was tempted to accept and to put across of case for the truth on the pandemic that never was.

The event clashes with another invitation to address the English Speaking Union in Strasbourg on the same issue and push this at other causes in the Council of Europe (COE).

Yesterday I saw the programme for Costa Rica. Also speaking is German former MP Wolfgang Wodarch. He preceded me as Chair of the COE Health subcommittee. He will make the same contribution as mine. I asked myself the wartime question  ‘Is my journey really necessary? Does the environment deserve it? There is only one answer. 

It’s Adios Costa Rica. Hasta la Vista.