Given that politicians are prone to make injudicious remarks, it was always going to be dangerous to appoint someone with the unofficial title of ‘minister for common sense’. So, away from the less important challenges confronting the government – the cost-of-living crisis, the recession and delays in the NHS, for example – greater matters of state surfaced this week: lanyards. Yes, those things you hang around your neck to show everyone who you are and what you do and, if you’ve been at a conference, often end up in the bin as you make for the train home. Esther McVey, who may regret ever hav…
