Whodunnit?
What is it about politicians accepting responsibility?
When the Audit Commission says something positive about an issue that they have independently and scrupulously investigated the politicians can’t wait to highlight their triumphs in the press because it is invariably seen by them as their personal achievement.
However, when the same body draws our attention to weaknesses or problems, we find the same voices shouting in denial. When the Audit Commission discovers unpleasant facts, or signs of failure, politicians can become deaf to facts and figures, and completely dismissive of thorough research. There is an old saying – success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan!
This has happened a couple of times recently. You may recall that it was reported that the ex-Leader of West Lindsey was supposedly criticised in an audit into the Council’s Planning and Governance. They didn’t say what he wanted to hear so he challenged their findings and to my knowledge is still doing so – despite the fact that his own party clearly think that there is substance in the matter as, having had sight of the report, suspended him forthwith.
Yesterday I read that our own MP is now doing the same. The Commission have found that despite 10 years of Labour Government there are still major issues regarding Child Health. Instead of taking it on the chin and using the knowledge to make things better, we find Ms Merron issuing a statement clearly implying that things are really quite rosy in Labour’s garden.
Today we are yet again treated to the shortfalls of our MPs as we discover the extent of their expense excesses. You would think that this would be an opportunity for a little humility from our local member, Ms Merron. A little bit of, “I dun it but I’m sorry and it won’t happen again” would go a long way with most folks. Unfortunately, what we get is the usual denial along the lines of ‘I acted properly but it was an error.’ Errors from 2007 to 2009 to be precise! In Ms Merron’s case she repaid £6,305 overpayment for mortgage interest payments on her second home. In effect this is an interest free loan, starting in 2007, using taxpayers’ money, to secure ownership of a second property. Try convincing the average homeowner that this is not a gravy train.
Let's Get Real
Taking responsibility for our actions and showing by example must begin at the top, and can begin by people showing moral courage to stand by their actions, right or wrong. If individuals can take ownership of failure as well as success we could be able to build truly caring and unselfish foundations to political life in Britain; then we would be seen to be doing the right thing, at all times!
Reg Shore
Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Lincoln