Government by "urging"

LA is this morning baffled.

The PM is reported to be "urging" the banks to "Come clean" on their toxic assets.
What?!?
Since when, if something was in the national interest and so important, did governments govern through "urging".

The Government have since nationalisation of the banks, had two tools to use to find out. Pack the board with Government placed Directors, or legislate that they must be forthcoming with the information.

It is madness. The government does not "urge" Lord Allesley not to speed. Its will certainly not "urge" LA to carry an ID card. LA as with every other citizen and organisation in this country is ordered by law to comply if the Government feels it is for the good of the nation. On many of these thing LA fundamentally disagrees as to whether it is in the interests of the nation. No one can disagree though that the stability of the financial system is in all of our interests. So why is Brown (for it is he, not his puppet Chancellor) delaying.

A huge reason for the current crisis is a lack of leadership, here with Brown and over the Pond with Lame Duck Bush. Whilst the US will now get Leadership and Direction (one may disagree with the policies but at least they will be decisive), the UK has still to be given that option.

Tough times need tough decisions and tough leaders, the unelected Brown has time and again shown he is spineless. UK Plc will continue to be blown by the storm as the helm is left unattended.

LA