JOBS FOR THE BOYS.

I read that the Government has named former Conservative Cabinet Minister and Party Chairman, and Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, as its preferred candidate for the soon to be vacant post of Chairman of the BBC Trust.

Talk about 'jobs for the boys' ! What possibly qualifies Patten for this job which, no doubt, pays an exorbitant salary ? If Patten is appointed, this would be a blatantly political appointment and would confirm this Government as being every bit as corrupt and self-serving as its predecessor. Surely there are other, far better qualified, candidates who do not have the same political baggage. Patten has never had a 'real' job. After leaving Oxford (!) he joined the Conservative Party Research Department in 1966, aged 22, and continued to work for the Party in one capacity or another until he lost his Parliamentary set in 1992; after that, he emerged as Governor of Hong Kong (a Government appointment), a post he held until 1997. Since then, he's had a number of other political roles, including European Commissioner, but what has he ever done in the world that mere mortals inhabit ?

Presumably, "Lord Patten", has already renounced his membership of the Conservative Party in readiness for this appointment. Nonetheless, is it really right that a person with such an overtly political background should be appointed to such a post ? Is it right that someone with no serious experience of broadcasting should be appointed ?

I think not.