The Burnham government: the shine dims.

 I the past few days the Government’s image had lost some of its shine.

First up is the decision to authorise the exploitation the Jackdaw natural gas field in the North Sea.  The question is: Does, or doesn’t, Mr Burnham’s government regard the damage to the planet by further fossil fuel exploitation  outweigh the alleged (in this case very short term) advantages.  I understand that the pros and cons are finely balanced, but Burnham has voted in favour of the short term.

As Guardian columnist Zoe  Williams writes (22 October): “… it matters: it destroys  our moral authority as a nation  and it extinguishes hope .”

On this very same topic  the junior energy minister Michael Shanks toured the early morning media studios to announce and justify the decision.  This provoked justifiable outrage from the Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle – such announcement should be made first  to parliament.  That is our system. 

True,  this  government is not the first to ignore this convention,  presumably in order  to get the government’s point of view implanted before opponents have time to collect their wits.  But Mr Burnham promised a new style of politics.  Here is an indication  that, like so many of its recent predecessors, the government places slick presentation skills above democratic protocol.

In this very same week the Home Secretary is proposing  to extend the period immigrants must live here before they can apply for citizenship from the present five years to 15.  This is outrageous.  Is Mrs Mahmood vying with Theresa May to win the pize for creating the most hostile environment for those who came here in good faith and offer us so much.?

 If you’re unsure of what that “so much” comprises read Gaby Hinsliff’s article in today’s Guardian.

And finally, the  Chancellor of the Exchequer  John Healey is putting it about  that in next week’s Budget he hopes to release the energies of frustrated  entrepreneurs by “scrapping red tape! “

It is too early to say: “It might just as well be the Tories,” but we are travelling along that road.