Robert Buckland Weblog

I have been trying to think of a way to link Wales’s Triple Crown triumph, the death of Lord Pym and the coming Local Election campaign. Whilst I continue to ponder, I thought it only right to tell you about how much I have been enjoying wallowing in the reflected glory of a superb effort by Wales against Ireland yesterday. Some readers may not be aware that the Irish Rugby Union have been allowed to use Croke Park for a few international seasons whilst Lansdowne Road is being rebuilt. The notion that the game of the British imperialist oppressors could ever have been played at such a venue would have appeared fanciful only a few seasons ago. I am sure that the change in stance has much to do with Ireland’s economic and political progress – in short, its emergence as a self-confident nation that no longer has the need to assert itself in a way that some perceived as “chippy” or as part of an inferiority complex. Croke Park was of course the scene of violence during the Troubles in the early 1920s. What a delight to see it now as a huge, modern stadium welcoming players and supporters of a game (unlike football) that has always been played by a united Ireland team. The fact that Wales won yesterday made the occasion all the more splendid, if rather nerve-racking for me.

I shall be going to the Wales v France game next Saturday evening, and will post a report.

The death of Lord Pym at 86 has robbed British politics of another of a generation that fought in the last War and went on to serve their country with great distinction. Francis Pym (a descendant of the famous seventeenth century Parliamentarian John Pym) was briefly Foreign Secretary until he was sacked by Mrs. Thatcher after the 1983 landslide. He is remembered latterly for having warned against the perils of landslide majorities. I agree wholeheartedly with this. Mrs. Thatcher memorably responded with the comment that her errant Cabinet Minister was expressing “Chief Whip’s caution”. Her reference to one of his previous roles was an nod towards the most significant part of his career, namely his time as Chief Whip in the Heath Government and his work in shepherding through the European Communities Bill.

Francis Pym was with the Eighth Army at Alamein and won the MC during the Italian campaign. Why people like him who had fought the Nazis and who then showed proper concern for those affected by radical change were later described as “Wets” has always struck me as rather absurd. He was a sound Tory whose contribution will not be forgotten.

Onward to the Local Elections, and our campaigning activities in Swindon continue at a frenetic pace. I am particularly interested in the initiative taken by Essex County Council and my old friend Cllr Steven Castle in providing support for the retention of post office services in council facilities. Having seen a sham consultation process resulting in the closure of two further post offices in South Swindon, I am going to learn more about Essex’s approach. Wouldn’t it be great if we could do this locally?