Esther McVey is not particularly clever. She cannot master a complicated brief. Nor is she liked by colleagues or voters. So why was she forced on the electorate of Tatton, a very safe Tory seat? Why was she given a ministerial position of such huge importance?
Simple answer: she is callous and unscrupulous to a degree that amazes even other cabinet members (and they're a pretty unsavoury bunch).
Now we have this extraordinary letter made public by Sir Amyas Morse, Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office.
Now we have this extraordinary letter made public by Sir Amyas Morse, Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office.
"I am now reluctantly writing an open letter to you to clarify the facts." (It would be unprofessional of Sir Amyas to say "liar, liar, pants on fire.")
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
Universal Credit is a disaster. It is a disaster in intent, method, implementation, outcomes for claimants. It is a disaster for the country as it solves no problems, merely generates more. Yet the Tories insist on continuing to roll it out like the tanks of an invading army.
There is an obvious parallel with Brexit but it's the heartless, mindless cruelty, incompetence and arrogance of this government that is most striking. "Fuck the weak" means two things: (a) we don't care about them and (b) we will actively hurt them.
History will look back on this dreadful period and be amazed at so little positive being done but so much negative. "The country burned while Mrs May held an away day after slashing fire services."
So what can we do? I'm sure many agree that another period governed by this unholy crew of egos, bodgers and villains would be a disaster, a licence to kill poor, weak, sick and disabled. Labour's manifesto was clear, costed and coherent. We must elect a Labour government.
And now we get a grudging, weaselly excuse for apology, misrepresenting what she said and what the NAO said. Dreadful. She can't even stop herself smirking. 
