The Quiet Man
Our leader, The Quiet Man, is getting ignored by the press these days. Even Charles Kennedy enjoys more coverage. In an attempt to rectify this is my own small way, and to spread what a jolly decent chap he is, I thought I would start an occasional series, The Wit & Wisdom of IDS, illuminating some of his key traits. First, from an interview on Newsnight last year.His knowledge of his own front bench
PAXMAN:
So when we read that quote, "it's pretty obvious there have been dark forces at work taking advantage of his absence", do you recognise the quote?
DUNCAN SMITH:
I recognise the novels that you may ever want to read. It sounds like a novel.
PAXMAN:
It's the Shadow Leader of the House, your man Eric Forth.
His grasp of the media
DUNCAN SMITH:
I shouldn't believe everything you read. I'm telling you now, the truth is...
PAXMAN:
Have I misquoted Eric Forth?
DUNCAN SMITH:
I don't read that nonsense.
PAXMAN:
You don't read the Financial Times?
DUNCAN SMITH:
I don't read nonsense like that...
PAXMAN:
What papers do you read?
HIs knowledge of mid 1990s British political history
DUNCAN SMITH:
John Major and the Prime Minister had talked about bringing it to the middle 30s and I said that may be a good objective.
His ability to change his mind
PAXMAN:
You are prepared to countenance British people paying to see their GP?
DUNCAN SMITH:
No, I am not. I will look at the arguments and I will discount them if they don't work.
PAXMAN:
So you are looking at this?
DUNCAN SMITH:
Of course I've said I'm looking at it!
----
PAXMAN:
On the question of GPs, to be clear on this, you are considering whether or not people ought to pay to see a GP?
DUNCAN SMITH:
No, I am not considering whether people ought to see whether they should pay for their GPs.
PAXMAN:
You just said you were working out whether it was a good idea or not?
DUNCAN SMITH:
What I said was, we will look at all the possibilities there are for reform.
PAXMAN:
So you are considering it?
DUNCAN SMITH:
I am not considering doing it, but looking at what is viable.
posted by Matthew @ 9/30/2003 11:36:00 AM
Comments: 0
