Coalition U-turns - an interactive guide....
Discussion
From the Guardian today, and in a format guaranteed to appeal on a motoring forum.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/201...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/201...
Not talking about these guys specifically...
But why are so-called 'U-Turns' actually a bad thing?
Does this not show that the guys in charge are actually listening to the public?
I mean, they set out a plan.....announce it......public dislike it......so they change the plan.
What's wrong with that?
I don't think that it is a sign of weakness at all. It just says to me that they are willing to change their plans if the people disapprove of what they're doing.
But why are so-called 'U-Turns' actually a bad thing?
Does this not show that the guys in charge are actually listening to the public?
I mean, they set out a plan.....announce it......public dislike it......so they change the plan.
What's wrong with that?
I don't think that it is a sign of weakness at all. It just says to me that they are willing to change their plans if the people disapprove of what they're doing.
Spiritual_Beggar said:
Not talking about these guys specifically...
But why are so-called 'U-Turns' actually a bad thing?
Does this not show that the guys in charge are actually listening to the public?
I mean, they set out a plan.....announce it......public dislike it......so they change the plan.
What's wrong with that?
I don't think that it is a sign of weakness at all. It just says to me that they are willing to change their plans if the people disapprove of what they're doing.
exactly i hate it when the media goes on about u turns - politicians should not be discouraged from listening to sense and changing their minds if neccessary.But why are so-called 'U-Turns' actually a bad thing?
Does this not show that the guys in charge are actually listening to the public?
I mean, they set out a plan.....announce it......public dislike it......so they change the plan.
What's wrong with that?
I don't think that it is a sign of weakness at all. It just says to me that they are willing to change their plans if the people disapprove of what they're doing.
The problem is there will always be some interested group who shout loudly to oppose whatever the government does. Ultimately what will happen is that we get bogged down in some horrible mediocrity where the only things that happen are those that don't affect anyone. ie are completely pointless.
It takes strong leadership to make a decision and stick to it, but the way politics is conducted these days politicians are always looking toward the next election, and not the matters at hand. They are afraid to offend anyone as it might lose them some votes when they want to hang on to power. The difficulty is that knowing what is a good decision is impossible until after the fact.
It takes strong leadership to make a decision and stick to it, but the way politics is conducted these days politicians are always looking toward the next election, and not the matters at hand. They are afraid to offend anyone as it might lose them some votes when they want to hang on to power. The difficulty is that knowing what is a good decision is impossible until after the fact.
Making U turns also smacks of incompetence.
Don't forget, these people are well paid to make these decisions as part of their full time jobs. They also have a huge amount of support with entire departments of experts at their disposal also at a great cost to us.
In short, they should get it right first time and drive it through, not tentatively punt something out, see how the public reacts and then act accordingly.
Obviously everyone makes mistakes from time to time, but they should be the exception rather than the norm and the mistakes shouldn't be blatant and basic errors of understanding.
Don't forget, these people are well paid to make these decisions as part of their full time jobs. They also have a huge amount of support with entire departments of experts at their disposal also at a great cost to us.
In short, they should get it right first time and drive it through, not tentatively punt something out, see how the public reacts and then act accordingly.
Obviously everyone makes mistakes from time to time, but they should be the exception rather than the norm and the mistakes shouldn't be blatant and basic errors of understanding.
next election
'We had to make compromises on all our plans as we are in a coalition. If we had a majority, this would not have happened.'
Tories to list new ideas and old ideas along with 'U-Turns....Good case for Tories .....all the others will be campaigning on U turns and liberal watering down of policies...which again makes the Tories look good.
Not a bad plan in the long run this U turn business!!!!
'We had to make compromises on all our plans as we are in a coalition. If we had a majority, this would not have happened.'
Tories to list new ideas and old ideas along with 'U-Turns....Good case for Tories .....all the others will be campaigning on U turns and liberal watering down of policies...which again makes the Tories look good.
Not a bad plan in the long run this U turn business!!!!
youngsyr said:
Making U turns also smacks of incompetence.
It seems that they didn't spend their time in opposition thinking through their policies very well, perhaps there are too many yes-men around Cameron and Osborne agreeing with their ideas and no one robust enough to argue alternative views, so that their ideas were properly tested before being thrown out into the wider world to be pulled apart.greygoose said:
youngsyr said:
Making U turns also smacks of incompetence.
It seems that they didn't spend their time in opposition thinking through their policies very well, perhaps there are too many yes-men around Cameron and Osborne agreeing with their ideas and no one robust enough to argue alternative views, so that their ideas were properly tested before being thrown out into the wider world to be pulled apart.I'd rather they gauge opinion from us...the public...aka: 'their bosses'....rather than see what the opposition is planning and suggest the opposite/ something different for the sake of being different.
They had an idea......a bad one.....the public told them so.....so they changed the plan.
I still fail to see what's wrong with that?
ETA: I agree that this Coalition has sometimes been a little too quick to announce a policy without thinking it through in a bit more depth......but the fact that they can acknowledge when public opinion is against them and change the plan accordingly is surely something to bear in mind.
I could be wrong, but I couldn't see the last lot acknowledging when they've made a mistake and actually change their plans in the interest of the public.
At least this way I feel that we actually do make a difference to the policies the Government decide to bring in.
Edited by Spiritual_Beggar on Tuesday 21st June 17:14
Spiritual_Beggar said:
greygoose said:
youngsyr said:
Making U turns also smacks of incompetence.
It seems that they didn't spend their time in opposition thinking through their policies very well, perhaps there are too many yes-men around Cameron and Osborne agreeing with their ideas and no one robust enough to argue alternative views, so that their ideas were properly tested before being thrown out into the wider world to be pulled apart.Spiritual_Beggar said:
I mean, they set out a plan.....announce it......public dislike it......so they change the plan.
What's wrong with that?
Absolutely nothing. If anything it's admirable, and when I look back at things like ID cards, I wish that Labour had done it too. What's wrong with that?
I like the way that the Guardian addresses the issue as if it were talking to a group of 5 year olds.
You only have to look at the incompetence of the SDSR to realise the Government is blundering dangerously time and time again. They are just not listening, clearly proven today by Cameron saying to the Military "You do the Fighting I'll do the Talking." In other words shut up, put your life on the line and I'll try and make some spin from it. All this after hacking away at the military and then committing us to a war with no clear exit strategy.
It does not inspire confidence, when something is announced, then you have to retract what you have proposed and rework it. It should all be worked out, consulted and announced with a clear and decisive strategy.
It is a shame there hasn't been a U-Turn on International Aid, which we seem to be leading the world in
The Military who have lost their benefits and/or jobs are losing their patience with Cameron, Students have lost their patience, The public sector have lost their patience, and large chunks of middle England are losing their patience as all they see are cuts, U-turns, increasing amounts of money leaving the country and committing to wars with no clear end game.
This country needs clear, decisive leadership making the reasoned decisions, not bumbling from one problem to another whilst trying to put a positive spin on everything using the line "It is the right thing to do" when a difficult question is asked.
Cameron is sinking the Tories, and it is a shame as I feel Labour will sweep back in power at the next election off the back of support from disgruntled Students, Public Sector and Military.
It does not inspire confidence, when something is announced, then you have to retract what you have proposed and rework it. It should all be worked out, consulted and announced with a clear and decisive strategy.
It is a shame there hasn't been a U-Turn on International Aid, which we seem to be leading the world in
The Military who have lost their benefits and/or jobs are losing their patience with Cameron, Students have lost their patience, The public sector have lost their patience, and large chunks of middle England are losing their patience as all they see are cuts, U-turns, increasing amounts of money leaving the country and committing to wars with no clear end game.
This country needs clear, decisive leadership making the reasoned decisions, not bumbling from one problem to another whilst trying to put a positive spin on everything using the line "It is the right thing to do" when a difficult question is asked.
Cameron is sinking the Tories, and it is a shame as I feel Labour will sweep back in power at the next election off the back of support from disgruntled Students, Public Sector and Military.
Bing o said:
I'm glad you enjoying petrol at 60p a litre and the exit from the EU....
No...I'm not enjoying the petrol prices.Yes...I'm looking forward to leaving this clusterF*** that is the EU.
And no...I do not think the coalition are doing themselves justice in the current time..
However....as stated previously, I'm not talking about this government's 'U-Turns' in particular. I'm talking about 'U-Turns' in general, and the fact that we should be applauding those Governments that are actually willing to change theeir policies when the Public make it clear they do not approve of them.
The media here seem to jump on the back of any slight change in policy and call it a 'weakness', whereas I on the other hand like to look at it as a sign that they are actually listening.
Now.....if we were to talk about this government, then I'd like to see them listen to the public on more important issues such as the AGW nonsense, Libya (What the hell are we doing there!), EU, etc....
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