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Can politicians admit they've changed their mind? Blog Discussion

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This is a Chat Forum discussion on Martin's 'Can politicians admit they've changed their mind?' blog that you can read here
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Or at least that's what I thought just now.
The problem arises when people make "promises". How could you stop people changing their minds then?
If we changed The Law though to be totally flexible wouldn't we take advantage?
The trouble is we seek chaos and stability at the same time.
Oh no it isn't!
I understand Martin's dilemma and grant permission for the change of mind(!) It's a tough question to answer on the spot and, for my conscience, a tough question to answer at all. Having a 'free press' allows us so many priviledges that other countries don't enjoy - I'm not sure I believe we should withold information to protect ourselves but I also don't believe that lives should be endangered for the purpose of selling newspapers.
Politicians' failure to change their mind is mostly the journalists' fault (and therefore our own). U-Turns and party "divisions" always make front page news as a cheap story and all the evidence suggests we, the voters, are immature enough not to vote for that party when they do.
The spin culture is rightly associated with Peter Mandelson. But Mandelson was only reacting to the savaging of Neil Kinnock by the press.
Just imagine Jeremy Paxman gently encouraging and coaxing a change of heart in an interviewee. You can't? Neither can I. Paxman is poison to genuine political debate.
Since most parties have given up on ideology and a looking for the best practical solutions, it should be perfectly acceptable to change your mind in the light of new evidence, a pilot project, or even a substantial change in public opinion.
And it should also be acceptable to have a healthy debate and some open disagreement (within limits) with members of your own party.
they were wrong. Usually they can only do so with no bad consequences at the end of their careers - which is why politicians who no longer seek high office appear more
honest and straightforward than others. Think of Enoch Powell, Tony Benn, Ted Heath, Anne Widdecombe (even if you don't agree with them)
It also assumes they have a mind to change.
Robert A Heinlein