A little knowledge (1977)

From the April 1977 issue of the Socialist Standard

Can you keep a secret? Sir Nigel Fisher, Conservative MP for Surbiton, has written a book on his Party’s leadership struggles and the Sunday Telegraph is serializing it. The extract in the 13th March edition described William Whitelaw as “an old and trusted friend” of Fisher’s. However, in describing the election of Mrs. Thatcher as Conservative-in-Chief, he remarks on Whitelaw’s candidature for the leadership in revealing terms:

Despite his many qualities of character, Whitelaw would have had weaknesses as a party leader. He knows nothing about economics. Some economists do not consider this a disadvantage, but it cannot be an asset in these days.

Which could suggest a slighting reference to previous Tory leaders and how much things have changed. But to be fair, they have all known enough. All of them could spot a profit from a loss, and similarly recognized to whom the profits belonged.