Cracking down on "Boomerang bosses"

An interesting article was published today pointing to an investigation into "boomerang bosses" ... and council chiefs who leave their councils with a big pay-off only to get another highly-paid council job.

Communities Secretary John Denham has said so-called "boomerang bosses" are undermining public trust. He is not wrong ... but there is a big difference between an investigation and effective action to 'crackdown' on such practices ... so whilst the title of the report again appears to contain more 'spin' than substance at the moment, let's hope an effective crackdown actually takes place ...

... and then moves on to look at exactly the same practices in the civil service, central Government and the private sector too ... where these practices thrive too. For instance how has Lord Mandelson once again joined the Government (with a mightily enhanced role), when he's unelected and has had to resign twice in the past for irregularities and misdemeanors already ...

There's a huge amount to do to restore public trust ... but are they serious in doing it? ... well it sounds like John Denham might be, but Lord Mandelson certainly won't ... and it's interesting that it's again being promoted by the Communities Secretary and being applied to local Government, not central Government. It's also interesting to note that John Denham is also promoting the idea of introducing more effective people consultation / democracy into local government / services at the same time (again to try to regain public trust) ... but once again it's unfortunately not being promoted for central Government / services ... which is where people actually have the least trust (and is also where most of our taxes are wasted).

So is this more spin than substance? ... let's hope not, and let's wish John Denham every success in achieving both of these goals, and the rapid expansion of them too!

Honesty, Honestly III

Given my previous posts on this subject, I'm pleased to see the area of honesty being picked up by Nick Robinson, and a few politicians too ... for instance the Chancellor is starting to express a need for it now too ... 

In an interview with the Telegraph, Chancellor Alistair Darling said voters are entitled to know about the government's future plans for cuts and spending before the next election. He said both parties are going to have tell voters, "the lie of the land" when it comes to which areas are going to be subjected to spending cuts. He resisted being specific about where future cuts could come but indicated that nearer the election the government would be more specific about the detail.

Mr Darling told the Daily Telegraph public spending would be tighter than in the past and that it was important to "try to level with people".  He said the government could still hold a review of public spending before the general election, and yet the Business secretary Lord Mandelson had previously suggested that this had been ruled out.

Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson (a resident expert in smoke, mirrors, deception and spin), must be fuming right now, and regretting the fact that Gordon did not get rid of the Chancellor in the last re-shuffle.  Go for it Alistair, tell us the truth, and remember to include the fact that the UK's financial crisis was actually created by Gordon Brown during his 10 years as Chancellor (i.e. and not America, or anyone else for that matter, which he would like to make us believe) ...

Spin, spin and more spin ...

Stephanie Flanders raised the issue of the Government wishing to avoid detailing its budgets and plans for the future ... with Lord Mandelson and Gordon Brown both reluctant to do this ... could it be that they hope to 'spin' the "Conservatives=10% cuts" line all the way up to the next election, to strike sufficient fear into voters, whilst being very careful to make sure they do not give the opposition any ammunition to fire back at them? Take a look at just a few of the comments posted on her blog below ... 

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Post 31 (leanomist):

Many good points raised:- let's see if some of them are listened to and/or dealt with ... (e.g. the ones repeated below) 

no 2. At 3:25pm on 29 Jun 2009, PortcullisGate wrote:

"As a father of three I now see the situation as desperate. If Brown is allowed to continue his scorched earth policy their futures are ruined ... The economy is not being run for economic reasons it is being shaped for political survival. Our futures are just collateral damage in a game of fool the electorate ... You Peston, Robinson need to start asking some difficult questions or you are not fulfilling your remit"

no 13. At 4:42pm on 29 Jun 2009, John_from_Hendon wrote:

"What will growth be based upon - answer a housing bubble (unsustainable)!!!! - partly in response to #1 above ... So far there has been NO improved (tightened) regulation of the banks or financial sector ... There is NO visible, let alone viable, strategy to get from where we are today to any form of genuine recovery."

no 14. At 4:47pm on 29 Jun 2009, ExcellenceFirst wrote:

"Mandelson can give whatever reasons he likes for why the Spending Review figures will not be published next spring, but we ALL know that the ONLY reason being considered is that it is seen not to be in Labour's party interests to do so..."

no 15. At 4:47pm on 29 Jun 2009, John_from_Hendon wrote:

"I am afraid all politicians are guilty of arrogance - we pay them to 'know' when there is nothing but uncertainty! It is our faith in this that is simplistic - we get what we elect!"

no 26. At 7:58pm on 29 Jun 2009, newsjock wrote:

"This government is completely discredited regarding any sort of financial competency. For Labour to say that government spending will continue to expand is either dishonest or shear lunacy. In either case the perpetator should be locked up. Gordon's political legacy is a near bankrupt Britain."

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Mandy and Brown are clearly doing all they can not to give any ammunition (ie the truth) to us (or to the opposition) and are hoping desperately that continually 'spinning' their 'Conservatives = 10% cuts' line all the way up to the next election will generate sufficient fear* amongst voters to still give them a fighting chance of getting into 'Power' again ... Meanwhile nothing will be admitted/done to improve the situation (or the 'future' of our nation), which will impact all of us for generations to come (as they look after themselves)*. No ideas. No morals. Shame on them, and anyone who knows but lets them (e.g. the BBC).

David Clift, a Future 500 Leader

* Creating fear is a common strategy used by people who apply Poweromics*. 

** Poweromics = People using position and power for their own personal gain, based on poor moral values, self interest and greed). Take a look at http://poweromics.blogspot.com for more info/examples.

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