The Daily Telegraph reports today that the Tories are thinking about appointing a minister for Afghanistan. The paper says that the “role could be taken by a new appointee possibly a former member of the Armed Forces who would be brought into government by Mr Cameron by making them a peer.”
This idea, however, will only work if the Minister is put in charge of all British government work in Afghanistan. If the Minister’s writ only runs in the Ministry of Defence, the move will only succeed in undermining the Defence Secretary.
What is needed is someone who has the authority to make sure that the military, diplomatic, and development aspects of the mission are working together. There also must be some concern about the minister in charge of an issue of such importance not being accountable to the Commons.
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