Vince Cable for Chancellor!

[Greed and Death]

If your going to have the bureaucracy reminding/telling the Chancellor when and where to sign things wouldn't it be far better to simply elect a member of the bureaucracy to the post ?

You mean, 'if your going to have the bureaucracy doing bureaucratic works wouldn't it be far better to simply elect a member of the bureaucracy to the post?'

And, no. Elected politicians are meant to be more than bureaucrats.

(Though an argument could be made that modern politicians are little more than bureaucrats... but that's a different issue.)

Elected politicians are supposed to be more then bureaucrats. If this guy is kinda forgetful it is all to easy for a bureaucrat to hide a decision in a pile of papers, then take it to him with only an hour or two left and say Mr. Chancellor you forgot this. You need to make a decision by close of business, here is what I recommend, and don't worry I wont mention any of this slip up to the public.

A leader needs attention to detail and organizational skills, If he lacks those he will do better in a more theory producing role.

[Bears Armed]

My hope is that when the conservatives win the next election (unfortunately that seems to be a given at the moment) their margin will be small enough that they have to either form a coalition or work particularly closely with the Lib Dems and offer him said position.

I mean frankly who do the conservatives have who could do the job, George Osborne?

John Redwood.

[Molested Sock]

Vince Cable is expected to have better reception than Frank Satellite.

Equal to American Chuck Fruit as former trade envoy?

[Eofaerwic]

The manipulation of budgets.

I'm meaning more, does power lie in this bureaucracy, or outside of it?

Your answer would seem to indicate the former, but I'm not sure of your meaning.

It lies inside it, and most of the power of our political class is restricted by what the civil service will let it do.

So Yes, Minister has taught us . Damn I can't find the clip on YouTube where Sir Humphrey explains the role of ministers in the decision making process (ie none)

[Eofaerwic]

One of the few men who understand the causes of the recession and he has the solutions. Do you think he would make a good chancellor? I evidently do.

Because a guy who can't even pay his electric bills on time can fix the economy.

I fail to see how the two are related. When you're busy and working long-hours it can be easy for things to get pushed back. Receiving reminders is hardly a big deal. I have on occasion forgotten to pay a bill until I got the reminder, I have not however ever forgotten things that are vital to my work. Shocking politicians are also human, would you believe. I personally do not see that as impairing his ability to do the job of chancellor.

[Chumblywumbly]

If this guy is kinda forgetful it is all to easy for a bureaucrat to hide a decision in a pile of papers, then take it to him with only an hour or two left and say Mr. Chancellor you forgot this. You need to make a decision by close of business, here is what I recommend, and don't worry I wont mention any of this slip up to the public.

They could also steal the Treasury keys and fly off on a magic unicorn, if we're going to use random hypotheticals to critique politicians.