Mercer Told to Walk

Patrick Mercer has been sacked from the front bench by David Cameron for making comments that some might perceive to be racist.

Now I suspect I am not going to be alone in saying that my sympathies here are with Patrick Mercer. I did not read his comments and think they were racist. The men that used to serve under him in the Army have, without provocation, come out in support of him saying he was scrupulously fair as a commanding officer.

The comments were probably unwise, though. However, that should not be allowed to get in the way of the fact that there was probably a great deal of truth in what he had to say about army life and we should listen. At the present time we are making more use of the army than we have for a generation and we are shockingly short of experience of army life among the politicians who issue the instructions. When someone with Mercer’s experience speaks on these topics, note should be taken.

While I understand Cameron’s reaction and the need for the party to make sure there are no mixed messages, when the dust has settled I hope that room will be found for Mercer and a return to the front line of politics.