Bunhill
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TALKING of rail strikes, when it comes to setting the railways an example for promptness, don't look to the Department of Transport. Brian Mawhinney was, you will recall, appointed Secretary of State for Transport in the Cabinet reshuffle on 20 July. His department, however, took a full 10 days to send out a six-paragraph curriculum vitae to help hacks writing about the new minister. It finally turned up on 2 August. Even by Whitehall - or come to that, British Rail - standards, this is pretty leisurely.
When I requested an explanation for the time lapse, loyal DoT officials reached for the time-honoured Whitehall defence: they blamed the new minister. 'We were waiting for him to give us the information,' one wailed. 'We had to check the details with him. As soon as we had it, we sent it out on the same day.' Of course, of course. As both sides in the BR strikes repeatedly remind us, delays are always someone else's fault.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments