Michael Gove's mistake - what's the big deal?

The news today has been full of the story of the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, apologising for having announced incorrect information regarding the Government's plans to cancel a number of building projects for schools nationwide.  As a result, 25 school were incorrectly told that their own plans were to be given the go-ahead.  What I'm wondering, though, is what all the fuss is about.

Michael Gove is human, and not a terribly bad one at that.  This is the man who, extremely selflessly, offered to sacrifice his own place on the Cabinet should it have been required by a Liberal Democrat in order to ensure the securing of a coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats.

Education Secretary, Michael Gove

However, following such an altruistic act, Mr. Gove appears to have blotted his copybook somewhat.  Following this mistake, he has been forced to apologise in Parliament and has faced criticism from various local Councils that have been affected by the decision.  There is even talk of legal action from some Councils that have been affected.

What troubles me is this: Mr. Gove (and his office) made a mistake, Mr. Gove then took full responsibility for the mistake, apologised in front of the House and has promised to apologise in person to all the schools that have been affected.

Now to quote a famous 1990s film, I am of the opinion that once a man admits that he is wrong, he is immediately forgiven for all wrongdoings.  This is a concept that seems to have escaped the Labour MP for West Bromwich East, Tom Watson, who hollered across the Chamber "you're a miserable pipsqueak of a man, Gove!".  Hardly Parliamentary behaviour.

One really has to wonder whether this whole incident has been blown out of all proportion.

On the first day, 25 schools were told that they would be being given money for building programmes.  The very next day they were told that a mistake had been made and their programmes had been cut.  Yes, I can understand the disappointment, but is this really the life-and-death situation that the media are making it out to be?  I am sure that none of that money would have been spent in the course of 24 hours; in fact, it would have been highly irresponsible (in the current climate) for the heads concerned to have spent a single penny of the promised money until it was safely in the school's bank account.

This kind of thing is probably no different to the small disappointments that we all experience on a daily basis; except for the fact that, by and large, we accept the apology offered and get on with our lives.

To err is human, and I for one am quite pleased to see that we have a Government that is showing some human characteristics.