Worst government minister?

[T_i_B]

Following on from another thread, I think it's time we asked who is the worst current minister?

I can think of 4 straight off who I don't rate in the slightest

1) Grant Shapps, for making a complete and utter mess of housing policy.
2) Andrew Lansley, for NHS reforms which look like they will only make things worse
3) George Osbourne, as it's his cuts agenda driving this government
4) Jeremy Hunt, the very last person you would want as the minister responsible for the BBC.

And in the interests of fairness I think it's only fair that I mention Tessa Jowell as the minister I disliked most in the previous government. It's quite something for me to rate a politican lower then David Blunkett so perhaps it's just as well she didn't manage to get promoted any higher.

And on a positive note, how about the best? Of the current bunch I'd say Norman Baker (who I presume has been brought in on the basis that it's better to have him inside the tent pissing out then outside the tent pissing in). And from the last government Mo Mowlem by some distance.

[LeftishBrit]

1. As I said in the other thread...

top of the list are Andrew Lansley for his threats to the NHS and his general sliminess, and Iain Duncan-Smith for his sanctimoniousness combined with hatred for the poor. I almost prefer his predecessor as MP Norman Tebbit, who was just as vile and hated poor people just as much, but didn't dress it up as compassion. But Osborne comes close, and is certainly the most *dangerous* Minister. Honourable mentions to Nick Clegg, who dragged the LibDems into coalition without any due thought or consultation, or proper negotiations, and has been as weak as water when faced with the cuts; Danny Alexander the arch-traitor who actually seems to *enjoy* cutting; Michael Gove for his sheer stupidity; and Eric Pickles for being just plain vile. If Minister need not mean 'Cabinet Minister' - then Nick Gibb deserves a high place!

Best Ministers? Well, it's a bit like the playground saying 'Would you rather run a mile, jump a stile, or eat a country pancake?' But probably the two whom I mind least are Chris Huhne and Ken Clarke (and you may be right about Norman Baker too; I'm just not very aware of him). And I would never have thought I'd say this - but I think William Hague is not too horrible in his current role.

From the last government? MOST hated (other than Blair): probably John Reid! Also David Blunkett, Charles Clarke and Ruth Kelly. Best? In the entire years of the Labour government, Mo Mowlam as you say and Robin Cook. Recently - this won't be a popular view, but I rather like Ed Balls: I don't think he'd be necessarily a good party leader but he was IMO a competent Education Secretary.

[Jeneral2885]

2. Best during the Blair years

Goes to Clare Short and the initial work she did in DFID (excluding WP 2000).

I can't name any worst ministers in the current government for personal reasons.

Brown had too many good and bad ministers

[T_i_B]

3. Given the vote of no confidence from Royal College of Nursing...

...I would ask if Andrew Lansley is not just the worst currently serving minister but the worst ever Health Secretary.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13063285

[non sociopath skin]

4. Can we nominate the Boy David himself?

He is, after all, where the buck stops. And he really is presiding over one helluva mess.

The Skin

[fedsron2us]

6. I will second that

A clueless PR wonk who has embroiled the UK in another foreign adventure in Libya while at the same time allowing his Chancellor to cut defence spending to the bone. It would be understandable of the UK was a big player in the Libyan oil industry like the French but it is not and never has been. He is also responsible for letting Lansley go way beyond his electoral remit in the NHS and then having to rein him in. Clegg comes a pretty close second as a minister that is never there when a job needs to be done.

Best minister is Kenneth Clarke who at least recognises that prisons are the Eton of crime (ie just as expensive as a top public school, and equally devoted to educating and maintaining a criminal elite).

[oldironside]

5. Norman Fowler?

Allegedly didn´t know what oral sex was at the start of the AIDS crisis.

John Moore? Remember him?

Keith Joseph?

I could go on.