Politics and populanty
From Brigadier Michael Calvert Sir: I could not agree more with Tommy Thompson when he says, "There are many problems: and true leaders must get up to the front and see for themselves, and in so doing gain knowledge and respect for themselves."
There is a sort of Drake-Nelson-Wellington syndrome amongst too many of our leaders — political, military, commercial and civil servant — whereby they feel that if they merely appear casual, play bowls, put a telescope to their blind eye and sit a horse saying "that was a close run thing," they are showing unflappability and therefore leadership by their sublime indifference to the perils that surround us.
What they do not seem to appreciate is that the apparent casualness of these great captains of war, and indeed the Comptons, Pascoes and Ovetts of the present day, is the culmination of an enormous amount of hardwork, attention to detail and application beforehand at the study of war, practice at the nets or slogging trackwork. Then, at the moment of crisis and at the testing time when there is nothing more to do except their duty, they can afford to appear casual as they reap the fruits of their labours.
Democratic politicians woo popularity in the hope that they will obtain votes because they are liked. Many of us would prefer to respect our politicians rather than like them. A Chinese aphorism says, "A man is to be pitied, for he must have achieved nothing in his life if, on his deathbed, he has no enemies." Or as 1 saw scribbled in the vernacular on an English tombstone after "Loved by All' — "Did damn all." One reason why I admire Enoch Powell is because he comes to sit and listen at meetings of the Military Commentators' Circle and refuses to speak (which at once makes him an exceptional politician) because, as he explained when asked, "I come here to learn." Powell goes where the political seas are roughest and braves the breakers which he has learnt to surf-ride after many spills. By going out into the open he bares himself to criticism and the sneers of the press but he learns just because he is an enthusiast. Most of us prefer enthusiasts as leaders and companions.
As a contrast consider the 'much loved' Reggie Maudling who sat on his arse for years at the Home Office whilst Ulster burned and then when he at last visited this 'far off' place he said how surprised he was at the amount of damage. "I never realised it was so bad."
On the other hand one cannot help admiring Callaghan because he goes places, sees things and gets into the ruck even if this is only a political ploy and leads from there instead of standing superciliously on the touchline like too many of our 'precious' politicians, merchant bankers and pin-striped senior civil servants.
Heath at least gets his feet wet and has shown leadership and success at sea as well as in visiting Australia, which is more than Churchill ever did, much to the Australians' sorrow and chagrin. If we cannot have an Australian-born prime minister and so call the New World in to redress the mental balance of the Old which, like a dose of salts, is what this country needs, Heath, in my opinion, is not a bad substitute, 1 cannot help but admire Mayhew because he resigned from the Cabinet on a point of principle which showed honesty, idealism and courage. His television appearance on behalf of the Liberal Party advocating a non-class, anti-leftwing alternative to either established party was to me a welcome ray of hope whilst both the Conservatives and Socialists dolorously intoned, 'I tell you naught for your comfort, Yea, naught for your desire, Save that the sky grows darker yet And the sea rises higher.'
Michael Calvert GA Gregory Place, London W8
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