Political U Turns

[spen666]

As speculation mounts that Starmer will do a u turn over the benefits reform bill, it is being portrayed as
"yet another u turn"
"weak leadership"
"not in control" etc etc
Without wanting to descend into the specifics of this or any other politicians u turns, surely its the sign of a good leader if they realise they have proposed a wrong course of action and changed direction to a course of action they decide is better
We (media & public) seem to put politicians in a position where they are seen as weak and indecisive if they do change their minds. This inevitably leads to politicians continuing a course of action that everyone realises is wrong. Dogmatic adhesion to a decision is not a strength, but a weakness.

For example it was Margaret Thatcher's dogmatic refusal to do a u turn on the poll tax that lead to her down fall. Strength is sometimes in standing up and accepting you had got it wrong and acting to correct your mistakes

 

[CXRAndy]

It also shows lack of research, taking in opinions that might not align with his

 

[spen666]

It also shows lack of research, taking in opinions that might not align with his

It may do - but surely better to u turn when the mistake is realised than to be bloody minded and continue on with path that is now not the optimal one.

A good leader has an open mind and changes it in appropriate circumstances

 

[Xipe Totec]

I wonder if it's more a consequence of political leaders relying heavily on shadowy, creepy little background wonks such as McSweeney or Cummings, rather than having ideas of their own that they might actually have some level of genuine belief & confidence in.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

As speculation mounts that Starmer will do a u turn over the benefits reform bill, it is being portrayed as
"yet another u turn"
"weak leadership"
"not in control" etc etc
Without wanting to descend into the specifics of this or any other politicians u turns, surely its the sign of a good leader if they realise they have proposed a wrong course of action and changed direction to a course of action they decide is better
We (media & public) seem to put politicians in a position where they are seen as weak and indecisive if they do change their minds. This inevitably leads to politicians continuing a course of action that everyone realises is wrong. Dogmatic adhesion to a decision is not a strength, but a weakness.

For example it was Margaret Thatcher's dogmatic refusal to do a u turn on the poll tax that lead to her down fall. Strength is sometimes in standing up and accepting you had got it wrong and acting to correct your mistakes

I would certainly agree, and I think I have said on other threads that this has spilled out into all walks of life, particularly in people doubling down on bad decisions, or worse when it does come to pass that an individual or an institution has got something wrong, seeking a scapegoat or flatly denying any responsibility.

I genuinely don't understand it, to admit you are wrong is the easiest thing to do, if you do it with genuine humility and insight into your error, most people will accept it. To actually double down, lie, deny, obfuscate etc. just drags people into a spiral of deception which is far harder to get out of, probably far more stressful, and nearly always ends up with you getting found out!

 

[Psamathe]

surely its the sign of a good leader if they realise they have proposed a wrong course of action and changed direction to a course of action they decide is better

Probably depends on the reason for the U-turn. If because they realise it's a bad idea or that there are better ways then U-turn a good thing. But if it's because despite insisting you're right, despite pushing ahead anyway ignoring all those around you, if U-turn is then because you realise you're going to lose then just shows daftness.

ie A policy is a duff idea but leader pushes, insists, ignores the rest of the world until at the last minute realises that push ahead and it's not going to happen or U-turn and it's not going to happen. Either way it's not going to happen so choice becomes it not happening with and embarrassing defeat or it not happening without an embarassing defeat - then the U-turn becomnes just avoiding embarasment and that is a sign of poor judgement/leadership.

Ian

 

[CXRAndy]

Can you actually remember a politician actually admit they were wrong, say so with humility and not spin it ?

 

[CXRAndy]

She's right about Starmer and Labour


View: https://x.com/GBNEWS/status/1938191729120735404?t=qBsSGJF94SdOZ3iGoS6Mrw&s=19

 

[CXRAndy]

This is more appropriate to Labour's position


View: https://x.com/HoodedClaw1974/status/1937933541075005670?t=GtmCSVI-fEtju0AGfVyRrQ&s=19