When Leaks Are Not Leaks – 2

Following last week’s supposed “leak” of a list of quangos facing the axe has come the inevitable investigation. We are told that the hunt for whoever did the leaking has been ordered personally by Cabinet Secretary Gus O’Donnell. I am sure he will make all the right noises, and after due passage of time, let the matter quietly drop.

Because, as I observed earlier, this “leak” gives every impression of being nothing of the sort. What gave the game away was that the article in the Maily Telegraph did not mention the L-word once. Fat Eric has declared that he does not know how accurate the supposedly leaked list is, which does nothing to dispel the thought that he may not be too unhappy that the information found its way to the Telegraph and the Beeb.

Moreover, all the flurry of information about the “leak”, which came on the heels of the initial disclosures on Friday, seems to have died down. Nor, conveniently, was any detail of savings to be made from abolishing the various bodies given in the supposedly leaked document, nor any estimate of job losses.

All of which is consistent with the “leak” having been deliberate and selective, and no more than a device for frightening civil servants and trade unions. The difference between the Beeb and Telegraph lists is merely indicative that the exercise being undertaken by the Government is a work in progress which is not yet complete.

One more giveaway on the sidelines of this affair is the so-called Taxpayers’ Alliance (representing less than one tenth of taxpayers, and still not publishing accounts or a list of donors), in blithely stating that they believe many more quangos should be abolished, has admitted something I have been asserting for some time: whatever cuts are made, they will then be back for more.

Because the TPA is solely dedicated to the demonisation of Government. They aren’t interested in smaller or better Government, and whatever Government there is, they will be putting the boot into it. This is a malign organisation, answerable only to its overmonied, greedy and cowardly backers. The interests and welfare of the general public do not enter.