The twerp Steve Baker who is a minister in DEXEU and formerly chairman of the right wing pro-Brexit European Reform Group was telling MPs yesterday afternoon they cannot see the economic assessment leaked to Buzzfeed because it's just a preliminary draft and it doesn't take account of the government's preferred option (HERE). This is mainly because he doesn't know what that preferred option is, beyond knowing of course that it's better than the others which were assessed. You couldn't make this up.
He also said that these forecasts are "always wrong" (HERE) prompting Dave Penman, the head of the civil service union, the FDA to say:
"And it really is extraordinary that a minister rubbishes his own departments work"
"Steve Baker’s comments in Parliament are supposed to represent the considered view of the government. His remarks today not only insult the dedicated professionals working in his department and across the civil service, but they epitomise the current state of affairs in government.
How can civil servants in his department, who are working harder than ever before, have confidence in a minister who stands at the despatch box and openly questions their professionalism? The real question, however, is how can a minister prepared to undermine the government he serves retain the confidence of the prime minister?"
Of course forecasts are "always wrong". That is the nature of forecasting. The problem with Brexiteers is that they assume the forecasts are too pessimistic. But forecasts can be wrong either way and may well be too optimistic.
And saying further work is required means that a different version with figures more to his liking will probably come out. Instead of evidence driving policy, policy is now driving the evidence.
And saying further work is required means that a different version with figures more to his liking will probably come out. Instead of evidence driving policy, policy is now driving the evidence.
The Brexiteers are walking on very thin ice. If the forecasts turn out half right they will look utterly stupid. The London Evening Standard, edited by George Osborne, say in an editorial all governments do harmful things from time to time either accidentally or through ignorance but ministers are now doing harmful things knowingly, intentionally, consciously, deliberately and after a careful and detailed analysis showing what they propose will definitely be harmful.
This must be a first time in our very long history.
This must be a first time in our very long history.
Incidentally, I note Rees-Mogg, always keen to attack Phillip Hammond for not sticking to government policy but is silent on Baker rubbishing government reports. I wonder why?
