Originally posted by François Delpla
I find you very pessimist !
I can completely understand why you would think that, but let me assure you that it is not entirely the case. I have much optimism but I also have a
realism that results from a thorough understanding of my country's history.
We are not a democracy, we are a constitutional monarchy with a democratically elected Prime Minster and a heriditary monarch both of which are
over-shadowed by a permanent and appointed civil service.
There is an excellent quote from the late Victor, third Baron Rothschild from the 70s when he was appointed by Ted Heath, the then Prime Minster to
head the 'Think Tank';
'Not until I came to Whitehall did I learn that the country was run by two men, neither of whom I had ever heard of.'
At that time those two men were Burke Trend (Secretary of the Cabinet) and Sir William Armstrong (Head of the Civil Service). Gus O'Donnell now
holds the combined post
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk...
The National Archives falls under the jurisdiction of the civil service, parts of the SIS fall under their jurisdiction. They are answerable to
Parliament but not wholly within its control. If forced to disclose they would rather destroy.
Originally posted by François Delpla
This publication shows that the London authorities, both politic and archivistic, are in a difficult position. Perhaps you have no idea of the glory
abroad of Ian Kershaw, the popularity of Anthony Beevor, etc. The advantage of the democracy, even if the governments does not intend to respect its
rules, is that they watch carefully the public opinion.
The two newspapers that ran the Allen story, the Times and the Telegraph are representative of the British establishment. Therefore their high
profile promotion of the case is suggestive of some form of an agenda, whether it be to disparage MI5 (a recent target of the Times) or to discredit
Allen I do not know, but there is clearly an agenda. Similarly, The Daily Mail choosing to serialise the Hugh Thomas book, raising the profile of
Thomas's theory over Allen's; Lord Rothermere the owner of the Daily Mail is a prominent example of the establishment elite of this country and his
paper is primer in what the establishment want the masses to believe. Their only interest in public opinion is how they can influence it.
Originally posted by François Delpla
Absolute silence was the only way. Since the 3th May 2008, it is old-fashioned.
I agree and as an optimist I do what I can, which admittedly at present is not much but I believe where there is a will there is a way. If Beevor and
Kershaw can drive change with their popularity abroad then I applaud and support them. I hope that they do, but excuse me if i do not hold my breath
in the meantime.