Brown & Brown - Part 2

Political observers, on both sides of the Irish Sea, had for some considerable time tipped Gordon and Tony to become the leaders of their respective countries. The odds on Gordon becoming leader were perhaps slightly shorter than Tony’s as he had been named, by the Labour leadership, at least publicly, as the ‘heir apparent’ to Blair.

Tony’s rise to the top job probably involved a bit more subterfuge, but those ‘in the know’ said it was almost a given following the ‘fall’ of Richard Corkhill and the resignation of the ‘Don’.

It is notable that both Brown’s identify a need for change, although Gordon more openly and emphatically.

Following the request of the Queen to form a new government Gordon announced, in his acceptance speech, “I have heard the need for change. Change in our NHS. Change in our schools. Change with affordable housing. Change to build trust in government. Change to protect and extend the British way of life…….. And now let the work of change begin.”

He certainly took no time at all to show that his words weren’t pure rhetoric - and almost immediately took steps to distance him from parts of the ‘Tony Blair Legacy’ - not least by signalling that the cosy relationship with the Bush administration would, in future, be far more businesslike.

While Tony’s Chief Ministers’ Policy Statement makes it clear that he is, “not afraid of making changes” - apart from stating that, as a matter of urgency, he will introduce a Bill to make the Chief Minister the political head of the Civil Service – his approach to change is through the setting up of ‘Working Groups’ to examine various issues.

A Manx cynic would suggest that this is an effective method of tying up an issue for several years, helps keep civil servants, and possibly external consultants, busy; and ultimately achieves very little.

Perhaps you would say that this is a little harsh and unjustified.

However, Tony identifies as a concern that, in many areas of government, bureaucracy is hampering the delivery of efficient services. His response is to set up a ‘Working Group’ (another term for bureaucracy) to investigate how to reduce the bureaucracy.

Perhaps a few less ‘Working Groups’, and ‘management meetings’, and a bit more of the ‘doing your job’ (you are paid for) might in itself result in some improved efficiencies.

There is a maxim that change is often better coming from within, rather than it being imposed from outside.

The Manx Herald is sure that there are many talented and professional people working for the government that can readily identify ways of saving money and doing the job better; but are not always allowed the opportunity.

Furthermore, an ‘independent’ report, commissioned by the previous government, has already identified, at the tax payers’ expense, a number of areas that need addressing; yet it appears to be lying, collecting dust, on a shelf.

Gordon’s popularity, albeit that it could be that he is still in his ‘honeymoon’ period with the electorate, brought about by his swift changes to government (and not just in style), is such that if an election was held in the UK tomorrow it would be a walkover.

Could Tony and his ‘government’ be so sure?