Let’s see more of Patrick Mercer

So what is to become of Patrick Mercer? On the Today programme this morning he was introduced as someone who “has served nine tours in Northern Ireland” – i.e. that rare thing: a politician who knows what he’s talking about. As opposed to Shaun Woodward, whose sole credentials are being a Tory turncoat and being plonked in the Cabinet at a time when Brown was recruiting goats. As a solider, Mercer survived two IRA assassination attempts; he reeks of authority on the subject. This morning the Tory demonstrably outclassed the minister. It was one of those “ready for government” moments, which the Tories need more of.

But Mercer, alas, is not expected to join the government. His political career path is something of a tragedy. He rose to the top at the Sherwood Foresters, his father’s wartime regiment, and did so much to encourage ethnic minorities that the BBC came and made a film about his battalion: the way he treated his men, with no special favours, was an exemplar of equal opportunity in action.