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Syria and The Sun - paper couldn't speak for readers and for Rupert Murdoch Syria and The Sun - paper couldn't speak for readers and for Rupert Murdoch
(17 days later)
Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun's associate editor, attacks both party leaders in his column today. Labour leader Ed Miliband is "a treacherous twister who humiliated" prime minister David Cameron "before the entire world for cheap political advantage."Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun's associate editor, attacks both party leaders in his column today. Labour leader Ed Miliband is "a treacherous twister who humiliated" prime minister David Cameron "before the entire world for cheap political advantage."
He "balked at the last moment from taking a clear position at a time of crisis," writes KavanaghHe "balked at the last moment from taking a clear position at a time of crisis," writes Kavanagh
I agree with him. There was no principle involved in Miliband's stance. He did not say Britain should not launch an airstrike on Syria. He did not say Britain should. He was guilty of opportunism.I agree with him. There was no principle involved in Miliband's stance. He did not say Britain should not launch an airstrike on Syria. He did not say Britain should. He was guilty of opportunism.
But, as I am sure Kavanagh would agree, The Sun itself also failed to state its opinion with any clarity. As I wrote last week (here and here), the paper renowned for making its views crystal clear in all previous conflicts, seemed to change its mind from issue to issue. (Trevor, it should be said, was consistent in his opposition to military action).But, as I am sure Kavanagh would agree, The Sun itself also failed to state its opinion with any clarity. As I wrote last week (here and here), the paper renowned for making its views crystal clear in all previous conflicts, seemed to change its mind from issue to issue. (Trevor, it should be said, was consistent in his opposition to military action).
But Miliband is not his major target. Despite the headline, "How could Dave trust a man who knifed his own brother?, it is "Captain Calamity" Cameron who gets the full blast of his polemic.But Miliband is not his major target. Despite the headline, "How could Dave trust a man who knifed his own brother?, it is "Captain Calamity" Cameron who gets the full blast of his polemic.
The prime minister is "a casually arrogant politician who delegates the spadework to understudies who are just as casual and arrogant as he is." Kavanagh continues:The prime minister is "a casually arrogant politician who delegates the spadework to understudies who are just as casual and arrogant as he is." Kavanagh continues:
"His failure to prepare the ground for action has embarrassed Britain and forced President Obama into a risky debate over America's own policy options."His failure to prepare the ground for action has embarrassed Britain and forced President Obama into a risky debate over America's own policy options.
It is astonishing how little work was done — here in Britain, in the Middle East or in world capital cities — to shore up the crucial case for a missile strike on Bashar al-Assad...It is astonishing how little work was done — here in Britain, in the Middle East or in world capital cities — to shore up the crucial case for a missile strike on Bashar al-Assad...
Why weren't ministers despatched to put the spotlight on the human casualties instead of plunging headlong into a risky commons recall?…Why weren't ministers despatched to put the spotlight on the human casualties instead of plunging headlong into a risky commons recall?…
He even brushed aside warnings that rebel Tories were planning to scupper him."He even brushed aside warnings that rebel Tories were planning to scupper him."
He accuses Cameron "and his gang" of worshipping at the feet of Tony Blair who - despite being "a snake oil salesman peddling false dreams" - his advantage was in being "jolly good at it."He accuses Cameron "and his gang" of worshipping at the feet of Tony Blair who - despite being "a snake oil salesman peddling false dreams" - his advantage was in being "jolly good at it."
By comparison, Cameron cannot hack it: "Compassionate conservatism, hoodie-hugging, the Big Society — they all rang as false as a cracked bell to jaded voters who simply wanted sound government."By comparison, Cameron cannot hack it: "Compassionate conservatism, hoodie-hugging, the Big Society — they all rang as false as a cracked bell to jaded voters who simply wanted sound government."
Then, confronted by the Syrian dilemma, "a moment of huge political risk, the PM placed his trust not in his own party but in a man who knifed his own brother without a qualm."Then, confronted by the Syrian dilemma, "a moment of huge political risk, the PM placed his trust not in his own party but in a man who knifed his own brother without a qualm."
Kavanagh then returns to an attack on Miliband, rightly pointing out that "to the dismay of many within his own party" he "spoke with forked tongue."Kavanagh then returns to an attack on Miliband, rightly pointing out that "to the dismay of many within his own party" he "spoke with forked tongue."
But wasn't The Sun just as guilty? Where was its principled stand one way or the other? There are times when it is impossible for the paper to represent the views of its readers while representing the views of its war-mongering proprietor.But wasn't The Sun just as guilty? Where was its principled stand one way or the other? There are times when it is impossible for the paper to represent the views of its readers while representing the views of its war-mongering proprietor.
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