Editor’s Notes: Javid and Burgon – the best and worst of Westminster

In politics its always possible to disagree with someones views while maintaining respect for their achievements or character.

Of course, the more tribal a politician is the harder they find it to muster such decency. For a glaring example of what happens when politics blinds a man to any wider perspective, take a look at Labours shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon. Following the appointment of Sajid Javid as home secretary, Burgon bashed off a tweet so poorly considered that he has, rightly, attracted a wave of criticism. “Sajid Javid reportedly earned £3 MILLION a year as an investment banker before being elected to parliament,” he screamed, adding “another Tory protecting the few and ignoring the many.”

Read more: Sajid Javid appointed home secretary

Burgon has been a socialist since at least the age of 16. We know this because he crops up in Tony Benns diaries, having popped into parliament to see his uncle – an MP at the time.

While the young Burgon was hanging out on the Commons terrace with his politically connected family member, Javid at the same age was likely helping out his father in the small shop he owned in Bristol, above which seven members of the family lived in a two-bed flat. Javid rejected the advice of his comprehensive school to become a TV repairman and instead fought his way into college and university before earning a place at Chase Manhattan, where he became a vice president at 25.

His story is an inspiration, and should be celebrated, not used against him by political opponents. That Javid gave up a high salary to enter public service makes it all the more admirable. For Burgon, a product of hard-left networks and family connections, to sneer at Javid is simply depressing and reveals more about the Labour MP than it does the new home secretary. Parliament needs more people from Javids background and fewer people like Burgon.

The future of shooting, skiing and sailing

Forget the customs union and the future of financial services, when it comes to Brexit there are more pressing concerns coming to the fore. Specifically: shooting, skiing and sailing. How the Irish border got centre stage while these three pursuits havent had a look-in is beyond me. I suppose its hard to imagine Michel Barnier identifying his priority areas as “the financial settlement, citizens rights, the border in Ireland… and the free movement of pheasant eggs for the preservation of the English country shoot”. Nevertheless, reports this week highlight that half of the 14m pheasants reared and released in the UK come from EU eggs or chicks, and the industry is worried about coping with new import rules. Meanwhile, the Royal Yachting Association and the British Association of Snowsport Instructors are worried about restrictions on Brits doing a bit of overseas seasonal work. I think its time for Theresa May to add these to her negotiating red lines.

Why ministers should read Commonwealth newspapers

Some years ago I helped to lead the fight against the coalition governments absurd proposals for a visa bond from non-EU states. It would have required a significant downpayment in order to secure a visa, which would have been lost if you decided to remain in the country illegally. I searched out comment pieces from the press in India and Nigeria, and was struck by their fury and disappointment. In light of the Windrush scandal, I wonder if ministers can bring themselves to look at the papers of Commonwealth countries. They ought to.

Read more: A Home Office that cant handle Windrush is not fit for purpose

Goodbye to Ollie Gill

Next month well say farewell to one of our star reporters, Oliver Gill, who leaves for a desk at The Telegraph. Ollie covered some of the biggest corporate stories of the past year and will be missed. His father, the late Sir Ben Gill, was head of the NFU at the height of the foot-and-mouth crisis, during which the BBC showed footage of him meeting Tony Blair with the observation that “one of these men runs the country and the other is the Prime Minister”. Big shoes to fill, Ollie.

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CityAM

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