Responsibilty (From The Northern Echo)

Responsibilty

11:13am Monday 15th December 2008

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THERE is an important distinction to be made between delegation and abdication. In professional or public life the ability to delegate appropriately is important, allowing individuals to effectively manage large organisations or government departments.

The most successful business people are those able to let go of some minor details, trusting employees or partners to take a lead where appropriate.

With the present Government, however, delegation has been replaced by all encompassing top-down control and interference, while at the same time there is a too obvious willingness to abdicate responsibility.

Sadly, the days of ministers resigning as a matter of personal honour and to maintain trust in our political system appear long gone.

The Home Secretary’s recent actions are a prime example. She has presided over a police raid on an MP’s office carried out without a warrant, yet claims not to have known it was taking place.

She has abdicated her responsibilities, while keeping a tight grip on her position and the privileges it brings.

Whether it is a resignation matter or not, she should either stand up for the actions of her department or must explain what she is doing to ensure that no future Home Secretary can deny responsibility and get away with it.

James Wharton, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Stockton South.

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