After a very upbeat week at Liberal Democrat conference, I am delighted to hear news that two very sensible appointments have been made to augment the Liberal Democrat team within Downing Street.
The first was actually announced about 10 days ago by the Herald - former Herald journalist Christine Jardine is going to be the link between No 10 and the Scotland Office. One can only hope that if David Cameron and George Osborne ever express the wish to say anything about Scotland, she'll be able to lock them in a cupboard until the urge passes.
The second, announced today on her blog, is the appointment of Olly Grender on a temporary basis as Deputy Director of Communications to cover for maternity leave.
Both Olly and Christine are people whose judgement I utterly respect and trust. They are very practical, with their feet firmly in the real world. I don't just expect that they'll make a real improvement to the way the Government operates, I know they will. The analytical and strategic knowledge they bring to their new roles is pretty darned brilliant.
Good luck to both of them.
Along with the appointment of Jo Foster, the current Welsh Chief Exec, as Nick's new Deputy Chief of Staff, there's been quite a bit of this good news lately. Jo is very capable but I think crucially is someone who doesn't take any crap and will say what she thinks. Not someone who is likely to go native.
ReplyDeleteLibDems fiddle in changing the deckchairs as the Titanic sinks ever lower in the water. All together now "Rule Brit.....
ReplyDeleteOh, CH, always there with a wee dig. I miss you when you don't comment, you know.
ReplyDelete"They are very practical, with their feet firmly in the real world"
ReplyDeleteOh dear they won't last then. Don't sound very Lib Dem to me ;)
Unless they love windmills, gay marriage, the EU, unlimited immigration, Nick, Davie Laws etc...
I actually heard about Olly Grender a few days ago. Can't remember where now - was either daily politics or news article somewhere during conference that said that.
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