Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once famously remarked: “U-turn if you like, but this lady is not for turning.” Ever since for a politician to change his mind has been seen as a sign of weakness. It is as if ministers at the highest levels of government, unlike the rest of us mere mortals, should be above making mistakes.
Of course, it is important to have certainty so that we can all plan ahead on the basis of a clear policy, but if one is totally inflexible this can easily lead to unforeseen consequences.
So, for example, Mrs. Thatcher’s government had an uncompromising policy of privatising as much of the public sector as it could get its hands on.
The result? Public utilities like Yorkshire Water ripping off their customers to enrich themselves while providing the minimum service, paying the shareholders and directors out of “profits” instead of using what the public sector would call their “surplus” to maintain, repair and renew essential infrastructure.
Or, to take another example. Tony Blair’s invasion of Iraq – which he pressed ahead with on the basis of evidence which he must have known was flawed by the time the campaign started. The result was to upset the balance of power between Iran and Iraq and to allow Iran to destabilise the entire Middle East.
Then there was Boris Johnson’s Brexit. Nothing would deter him from pressing ahead with the hardest possible Brexit deal. The final decision was made in the middle of the covid crisis and could have been delayed and given more careful thought. We are still suffering the outcome.
It is true that if a chief executive of a big company makes a serious mistake and admits his error, he might be sacked, but wouldn’t he be more likely to be sacked if, after making the mistake, he persisted with his mistaken decision and did nothing to put it right?
Perhaps after years of opposition, it may be difficult to adapt to the realities of government. So, wouldn’t it be wise to welcome Labour’s u-turn on inheritance tax and other matters rather than condemn them for having the courage to admit their errors?
It might be said that their inheritance tax blunder suggests Labour does not understand the countryside. The reality is that even political parties which do purport to understand us country folk take us for granted and treat us like woolly backs.
Only 15% of the UK population live in rural areas. This means that if a political party wants to progress it has to go for the urban vote and fight elections on mainly urban issues. So, however important farmers may be to our economy and for producing the food we eat, in terms of votes, they don’t count.
So, when cheap food is essential to feed the urban masses, no government is going to crack down on superstores and force them to pay farmers a fair price for their produce. So, instead another way has to be found to pay farmers – subsidies.
These used to come from the EU, but after Brexit government subsidies are far less generous. So, who is responsible for this mess? It isn’t Labour.
This Labour government should bear this in mind when they look at country issues.
Let’s talk about trail hunting, for example. I love horses and before fox hunting was banned, I occasionally rode with the Saltersgate Hunt over the North York moors. It was wonderful scenery – you can see the countryside better from horseback than walking or in a car.
Galloping along with a herd of horses and their riders is a thrilling experience. There were a few redcoats and professional people wearing black, but most riders were farmers. Farmers live and work with nature. For many farmers, horses are their recreation. Farmers have a hard enough life as it is. So, why make it harder still by taking away their fun?
Let’s talk about solar panels. Yes, the more we can decarbonise the better, but like many policies they lose credibility when taken to extremes.
It makes no sense to cover good agricultural land with solar panels when UK agriculture can only produce enough food to feed 60% of UK population. And it’s difficult to see how amenities can be improved or tourism encouraged when thousands of acres are submerged under an artificial sea of glass and metal.
Starmer’s government needs to take a hard look at themselves and their policies before they antagonise those of us who want them to succeed. If this means more u-turns, they should be welcomed with enthusiasm.
I appeal to Sir Keir. “Please make sure all your policies are country proofed. Please don’t meddle with what you don’t understand. Please don’t rush in where angels fear to tread!”
NB A few small amendments have been made to the printed article.