Re: Union Station in Toronto
Since there is an interest about BL, let me throw in what I know and add to what GD has stated. I think I have said these things in the past.
BL now sits at the apex of Intelligence for Singapore. This role was originally conceived after 9/11 and follows the approach similar to the Australian Office of National Assessment. He has also been tasked to identify senior talent for the Govt within PMO. This is in addition to his Nat Development remit where sensitivities of pop demographics and housing comes into play.
BL has exceptional EQ. I first met him in 1980 and you could tell that he was easy going, very bright, highly articulate and more importantly one of the chaps. Chubby and does not even look like a scholar but certainly had presence. He obtained a 1st class honours in English and at that time it was a rarity. As he entered service (similar to ramseth) as a regular straight from school without doing NS, his NS component was built into the required 5 years Police service. Shortly after joining as a PC, he left for Uni. If he was not in the scheme, I am sure he would have been absorbed into Admin Service from day 1.
There is also another interesting aspect to BL - the habit of breaking rules that don't make sense or has little significance.
Like everything in life, a little help is needed. Old man knows his father.
If he has any flaws, its his habit of giving too much leeway to his friends and squad mates. His squad mates from his PC and Senior Officer Training days are in ISD and some of them are not fit to sell rojak along a five foot way. There is a Sgt who went to CNB made a mess with running informants, ran back to the Police and then taken in by BL to ISD. He is now superscale officer and this chap is still playing games.
The other thing is that he is totally devoted to the job that his marriage ended up on the rocks.
In essence, an exceptional quality individual but too nice a guy.
Thank you.
I was unaware of that.
Did BL go to LSE on his own, rather than on a scholarship.
I am unable to recall whether or not BL was the Head Prefect at RI?