Sometimes I think we live in a world where Tony Blair is right about almost everything but is destined not to be listened to because of the time he was really wrong. If I'd had a classical education, there's no doubt a Ancient Greek myth that fits this.
In a country where management in all organisations private and public, are allowed to outsource their responsibilities to consultants, we shouldn't be surprised that senior politicians indulge in the same behaviour.
Excellent column - reminds me of an old prof who used to see red whenever people talked about "giving diplomacy a chance" when faced with some thorny problem of foreign policy. Diplomacy is a tool to achieve goals, but often ended up being the goal itself.
Not a serious article.
If you’re discussing politicians avoiding responsibility, the list of delaying tactics has to include “the market will sort it out”.
Otherwise you’re just taking social care and mass rape as the latest excuses to boost the partisan trope that “government is the problem”.
It’s a ridiculous response to an inquiry being proposed not to look at a problem, but as the political gambit of a foreign megalomaniac with a hard right agenda.
I think they're optimistic in some ways. In principle the Cabinet could decide tomorrow to start *doing* things. Other problems look much less solvable
I forgot the context, but I believe Blair said how in all the decisions he makes he only has 90% of the information. Even if you gather more info to make sure you’re right, it’s never going to remove that 10% uncertainty. At one point you just have to take responsibility for action and do it.
Comments
https://www.grounded.systems/2025/01/not-getting-lost-in-process/
And I think applies independent of political position.
If you’re discussing politicians avoiding responsibility, the list of delaying tactics has to include “the market will sort it out”.
Otherwise you’re just taking social care and mass rape as the latest excuses to boost the partisan trope that “government is the problem”.