Nautical advice to future Prime Ministers, government and voters.

“There becomes a time that if the Commander of a ship blames the previous Captain he does not remain in command very long.”

I first heard these words from Admiral Lord West in 2011 on a radio interview as he was asked to comment on the latest moaning of the coalition government about the mess the previous Labour government had left them. Since then political leaders have repeatedly blamed prior administrations. I find such moaning pathetic as they choose to campaign for government and the responsibility it holds. Such moaning about what they have inherited from previous administrations simply does not cut any ice with me.

I want to see  political leaders that just get on with the job without moaning about their inheritance.  Just get on with it.

“One ship sails South and another sails East

 With the self-same wind that blows –

 ‘Tis the set of the sails, and not the gale

 Which determines the way she goes.”

These words are from the poem “The Winds of Fate” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. They highlight another pet hate that I have with politicians in that they often blame world events, the climate and things outside their control. This is frankly pathetic as there is always some external influence and it is the job of government to deal with it effectively by steering the ship through the difficulties.

Finally the voter, or more importantly those that do not vote, do not get away from their responsibility,  for when you vote you state the way you wish the sails to be set.