The Times leader comment on the appointment of the EU High Representative – “The British Government put forward Baroness Ashton of Upholland without consulting anybody… At least we have found someone who might stop the diplomatic traffic.” - shares the tone of others written about disappointing government appointments since 1785.
In 1859, for example, on the appointment of a High Court judge a leader enquired: "Who is the new judge? Everybody has been going about town asking his neighbour 'Who is Mr Colin Blackburn?"' & concluded “when there are many men of acknowledged merit, of large professional experience, & of Parliamentary reputation from whom to choose, it does seem strange that the choice should fall upon a gentleman who is unkown, without professional experience or Parliamentary name. We cannot but look upon this appointment as a most unfortunate one, & as a grievous mistake …” (The Times, Wednesday, Jun 29, 1859; pg. 9; Issue 23345; col A)
In this case the leader writers judgement was off beam. According to the Dictionary of National Biography, in 1876 when Blackburn became one of the first two lords of appeal in ordinary, “his appointment was not greeted with consternation by the legal profession but was applauded. His judgments in the queen's bench had demonstrated his profound knowledge of the principles of the common law. They continue to be read with admiration and cited as authoritative”
Perhaps Lady Ashton will turn out to be a similarly pleasant surprise
