How important is the Ministry of Defence? Not, according to Fraser, important enough to this government to appoint a Secretary of State who has any great interest in Defence issues. This is fairly remarkable. You might have thought – and the MoD’s particular problems might have persuaded you – that defence would be an issue demanding a specialist but that reckons without the managerial habits of modern politics.
This is not a criticism of Philip Hammond. He will doubtless be, as they say, a “safe pair of hands” at the MoD. Nevertheless, while procurement issues and budget-management are a large part of the MoD’s future they are not the only vital aspects of the defence brief and it is curious to discover that the wider strategic aspects of the job appear to be of so little import that a politician, capable and smart though he is, with no past record of interest in military affairs can be made Secretary of State for Defence.
Is it a surprise that two of the cabinet ministers doing best (or that seem to be doing best) are two that have immersed themselves in their brief for years and who are, whether you agree with the policies or not, plainly passionate about their subjects? Barring disgrace, neither Michael Gove nor Iain Duncan Smith will be shifted in this parliament.
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