The General Kelly show

Who would have thought not that long ago when General John Kelly was commander of US Southern Command and headng for retirement and an easy life that he was going to become one of the most powerful people in Washington? I don't suppose he ever had any thoughts of going into the political arena. Of course it doesn't happen in the UK. Four star generals don't become Home Secretary or Chancellor of the Exchequer or chief of staff in Number 10 Downing Street. When they retire they pick up lucrative directorships, become fellows at various think-tanks, write the odd memoir and those that get to be life peers join the throng of ermine-shouldered ladies and gentlemen who sit in the House of Lords and occasionally make worthy speeches. In America, a four star general can become president! So John Kelly's rise up the ladder is not by any means unusual. It's just that he has been propelled into the political frontline because of Trump's disastrous first six months. He was called to duty first, of course, as Secretary of Homeland Security, and by all accounts did a pretty good job. As a general he knew how to get his team together to try and implement Trump's bizarre immigration policies. Trump must have been impressed. Suddenly Kelly was his chosen one, the man selected to take over running the White House. He has achieved in a few weeks as chief of staff a remarkable change in atmosphere at the White House. Everyone runs to his orders, reads his regular memos about how they should serve the president and continues to work brutal hours but at least with a better purpose and a well defined framework. I know it's never going to happen in the UK but I can think of a few generals or admirals who would have made excellent ministers or Downing Street chiefs of staff. A career in the military does prepare you for an ordered life, and politics which is normally about chaotic thinking and hopeless governance could do with a bit of straightjacket administration. Obviously there are some good civil servants in the UK who know what they'e doing, but a four-star military man at the helm might just get things done quicker and more effectively. So carry on the good work, General Kelly. I know you're retired and therefore not a general any more. But I bet everyone in the White House thinks of him every day as The General.