Letters / Accountability
Whilst I support and endorse Peter Hamilton’s efforts towards bringing more open democracy and better governance to Shetland Charitable Trust, I beg to differ with his comment that I have the “Wrong target” (SN; 25/10/16).
The modern society we live in, from the town hall up, is ruled, governed and abused by people who have by and large become unaccountable.
Yes, if they are elected we can ‘chuck em out’ at the next election but can we bring them back when one of the things they were instrumental in proves to be an example of misconduct, was ill advised or lost public money? No we cannot.
Ordinary people cannot bring better governance into industry, the civil service or any of the areas where the ruling elite fix things to keep their disposable incomes growing many times above inflation, but we should be able to bring our elected representatives back when they fail us either individually or collectively.
So by asking what our elected representatives believe in, what their political or social goals are and what they stand for, what their stance is on a specific issue etc, is the only way the electorate can judge their actions and behaviour.
The standard of ethics and governance in our political systems are seriously failing society all over the world and it’s time we focused on the people who stand and make them accountable.
The administration can haul (make accountable) an ordinary member of the community for indiscretions, tax issues or a crime that may be 20, 30 or more years ago, so why not an ex elected representative or civil servant accountable in the same way.
So Peter, if you want to bring about the much needed changes to the governance of the charitable trust you have to look at the folk involved, see what their motives might be, and press for accountability in tandem with the changes deemed necessary to bring in more open and democratic governance.
Vic Thomas
Catfirth
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