Leila's blog

Sat, Feb 23, 2008

Hot and cold flushes

I was pleased to read about the Greens in Northern Ireland's call for the creation of a 'Climate Tsar'. They rightly point out that like much in politics it is easy to promise but far harder to deliver, and one way of holding these promises to account is by having a no-partisan person employed to oversee progress and encourage joined up thinking across departments. There is a school of thought that says that it is the electorates job to hold politicians to account for promises made. However there are two gaping flaws in this viewpoint:

1. The electorate can only make a decision on information given to them; when standing for election very few politicians will say 'I didn't fulfil my promises'
2. Elections occur periodically and when they do occur a whole range of items are being voted on. When there is something as dangerous and when the measures required may, in the short term, be very unpopular (look at the congestion charge) it is helpful to have someone with all the facts in a position where they can say 'it has to be done' and not risk loosing their job for doing so.

Finally, for those of you who have been following my amateur gardening efforts, I can report that I am taking an even bigger step. I have started a small garden at work, just in pots. We have sown various bulbs and some carrot and lettuce seeds and put them outside to grow - just when the nights have got cold enough to freeze (doh!).

Comments and questions