In the last 24 hours two stories have emerged that show how our Political system approaches themes that are important to society at large. It is clear that we need a change.

The first was an interview on Meridian TV with Helen Grant, broadcast last night. Helen is the MP for Maidstone and the Weald and a Solicitor by profession (unless one counts being an MP a profession). Helen who was elected in 2010 came to prominence when it was revealed that her family home is in Surrey, rather than in her constituency in Kent and within 20 miles of Parliament, yet she chose to claim public money to set up a London flat, something allowed to the MP for her constituency but denied to the MP for Surrey where she actually lives. Helen was appointed as a junior Minister in the Ministry of Justice a year ago and promoted in the recent reshuffle to be Sports Minister. Last nights TV interview arose because she was visiting her constituency to highlight the Governments latest offer of tax breaks for Sports Clubs. The interviewer focused in on Helens knowledge of recent Sporting success such as Tennis, Rugby, Football and the Paralympics (an old trick reserved for Ministerial roles that journalists believe we will all understand). Sadly Helen got all five questions wrong.

The second story is about an attempt by the Conservative Party to reach out to small businesses. This morning Conservative MPs are all tweeting a link to a website that has been set up by the party for small businesses to allow them to take part in a Q & A session. The answers will not be provided by a Government Minister from the Department that sets legislation for Business, such as Michael Fallon but by Karren Brady, who sits on the Left Hand side of Alan Sugar during the Apprentice. In order to take part in this session, business owners will need to submit their personal details via the website along with the questions. What businesses can be sure of, is that the party will keep in touch, particularly as we approach the dates of future elections, and to invite them to join the party.  Clearly the information gathered by the website will be used, not to improve current legislation which a Minister could seek to achieve, but rather to shape the Conservative manifesto, which could of course lead to a very different outcome.

So we have two Government Departments led by people whose grasp of their core subject is not sufficient to answer the sort of questions that could be put to them by ordinary members of the public. Sadly the same is probably true of many other departments. In terms of the Small Business approach, it is noteworthy, that had the coalition not ripped the heart out of the Business Link service (a service that was not perfect by anyones measure) that the need for a Q and A session with Karren Brady might not be so high. In truth knowing who won the FA cup may not be a necessary qualification for being the Sports Minister but Karren Brady would certainly have been able to answer it along with the other 4 questions. Perhaps she should lead the Cabinet, not just be part of it!