By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Politicians do not like admitting navigational errors
By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Politicians do not like admitting navigational errors
Gordon Brown is being accused of planning a U-turn over tax, but most of us face a more mundane change of mind every day. Is there any way to do it smoothly?
Gordon Brown is being accused of planning a U-turn over tax, but most of us face a more mundane change of mind every day. Is there any way to do it smoothly?
U-turn is a pejorative word in the media. In driving it tends to suggest a mere navigational error. If you are accused of doing one in politics, the columnists tend to suggest you might take a break from driving the ship of state.
U-turn is a pejorative word in the media. In driving it tends to suggest a mere navigational error. If you are accused of doing one in politics, the columnists tend to suggest you might take a break from driving the ship of state.
Some U-turns have hurt the U-turners, some have not. Some have lived long in the memory, the others were quickly yesterday's fish and chip paper. But is there any right way to do a U-turn?
Some U-turns have hurt the U-turners, some have not. Some have lived long in the memory, the others were quickly yesterday's fish and chip paper. But is there any right way to do a U-turn?
THE HONEST TO GOODNESS U-TURN U-TURN
THE HONEST TO GOODNESS U-TURN U-TURN
Sometimes people, even politicians, feel able to admit they were just plain wrong.
Sometimes people, even politicians, feel able to admit they were just plain wrong.
On Monday 9 May 2005, it was revealed that the Department of Trade and Industry was rebranding as the Department for Productivity, Energy and Industry. By the next day the jibes had started. One possible acronym would be "Dippy", the wags noted. Some suggested worse.
On Monday 9 May 2005, it was revealed that the Department of Trade and Industry was rebranding as the Department for Productivity, Energy and Industry. By the next day the jibes had started. One possible acronym would be "Dippy", the wags noted. Some suggested worse.
In a triumph for speedy government, by Thursday 12 May, the DPEI was no more, with the government changing the name back and deploying "a man with a screwdriver" to tackle the nameplate. This Mars bar was for turning
In a triumph for speedy government, by Thursday 12 May, the DPEI was no more, with the government changing the name back and deploying "a man with a screwdriver" to tackle the nameplate. This Mars bar was for turning
The week-long rebranding was later revealed to have cost £30,000 - or the cost of six hip replacements as the Conservatives witheringly noted.
The week-long rebranding was later revealed to have cost £30,000 - or the cost of six hip replacements as the Conservatives witheringly noted.
But Labour was not deterred. The DTI was recently axed in favour of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The rebranded department goes by the acronym BERR, although regular users often pronounce it "beurre" as in the French for butter.
But Labour was not deterred. The DTI was recently axed in favour of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The rebranded department goes by the acronym BERR, although regular users often pronounce it "beurre" as in the French for butter.
Judi James, an expert on workplace culture and communication skills, says the value of "sticking to your guns" is overstated.
Judi James, an expert on workplace culture and communication skills, says the value of "sticking to your guns" is overstated.
"For a start never see taking a decision and sticking to it as admirable. That's almost stubbornness.
"For a start never see taking a decision and sticking to it as admirable. That's almost stubbornness.
"There's absolutely no such thing as the right decision. There are lots of 'rights' and therefore it is perfectly acceptable to try another version of right."
"There's absolutely no such thing as the right decision. There are lots of 'rights' and therefore it is perfectly acceptable to try another version of right."
THE GIVING WAY TO PUBLIC OPINION U-TURN
THE GIVING WAY TO PUBLIC OPINION U-TURN
And one obvious option for the U-turner is saying that you made the right decision but have been forced into changing your mind by the reaction to that decision.
And one obvious option for the U-turner is saying that you made the right decision but have been forced into changing your mind by the reaction to that decision.
In 1995, Shell wanted to dispose of its defunct oil storage unit Brent Spar in deep waters, but the platform was occupied by Greenpeace activists and a wave of negative public opinion swept Europe. Shell said it was right but U-turned anyway
In 1995, Shell wanted to dispose of its defunct oil storage unit Brent Spar in deep waters, but the platform was occupied by Greenpeace activists and a wave of negative public opinion swept Europe. Shell said it was right but U-turned anyway
Moved to act by criticism from politicians, Shell changed its mind, but it has always maintained that the original decision had been correct and was the more environmentally sound option.
Moved to act by criticism from politicians, Shell changed its mind, but it has always maintained that the original decision had been correct and was the more environmentally sound option.
More recently, Mars decided in May last year to start using rennet, an enzyme usually derived from calves' stomachs, in its chocolate bars, rendering them unsuitable for vegetarians.
More recently, Mars decided in May last year to start using rennet, an enzyme usually derived from calves' stomachs, in its chocolate bars, rendering them unsuitable for vegetarians.
Within a week it had admitted it had become "very clear, very quickly" that it had made a mistake. The policy was reversed.
Within a week it had admitted it had become "very clear, very quickly" that it had made a mistake. The policy was reversed.
By comparison, Coca-Cola was almost Alamo-like in its defence of a decision to revamp the drink's formula. It held out nearly three months before reinstating "classic" Coke formula in 1985 and waited some 17 years before ditching "new" Coke entirely.
By comparison, Coca-Cola was almost Alamo-like in its defence of a decision to revamp the drink's formula. It held out nearly three months before reinstating "classic" Coke formula in 1985 and waited some 17 years before ditching "new" Coke entirely.
James says honesty about the U-turn is the best policy.
James says honesty about the U-turn is the best policy.
"The big thing is to announce quite honestly and openly that you have changed your mind. If you are defensive and try and pretend you haven't that is often seen as a sign of weakness."
"The big thing is to announce quite honestly and openly that you have changed your mind. If you are defensive and try and pretend you haven't that is often seen as a sign of weakness."
THE CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED U-TURN
THE CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED U-TURN
Sometimes a change in circumstances is blamed for a change of decision.
Sometimes a change in circumstances is blamed for a change of decision.
During his campaign for president in 1998 George Bush Sr famously said "Read my lips: no new taxes". Once in office he did raise taxes and the phrase has become one of the most parodied in the history of modern politics.
During his campaign for president in 1998 George Bush Sr famously said "Read my lips: no new taxes". Once in office he did raise taxes and the phrase has become one of the most parodied in the history of modern politics.
But Bush's defenders said he had never intended to raise taxes and was forced into by a political stalemate in Congress.
But Bush's defenders said he had never intended to raise taxes and was forced into by a political stalemate in Congress.
In 2001, it was expected that the general election would go ahead on the same day in May as the local elections despite the foot-and-mouth outbreak and criticism from farmers. Eventually, the government relented and had both in June, retaining a hefty majority in Parliament.
In 2001, it was expected that the general election would go ahead on the same day in May as the local elections despite the foot-and-mouth outbreak and criticism from farmers. Eventually, the government relented and had both in June, retaining a hefty majority in Parliament.
Evaluation is the key, James says. Anybody can say that as part of their original decision they were committed to constant evaluation of the situation with a view to changing tack if necessary.
Evaluation is the key, James says. Anybody can say that as part of their original decision they were committed to constant evaluation of the situation with a view to changing tack if necessary.
THE I-NEVER-SAID-THAT U-TURN
THE I-NEVER-SAID-THAT U-TURN
In the event of having to go back on your decision, it is always possible to muddy the waters by claiming that the original decision was never actually made.
In the event of having to go back on your decision, it is always possible to muddy the waters by claiming that the original decision was never actually made.
Rapper 50 Cent recently vowed to stop releasing solo albums if he was outsold by fellow hip hop star Kanye West.50 Cent is not a worker bee
Rapper 50 Cent recently vowed to stop releasing solo albums if he was outsold by fellow hip hop star Kanye West.50 Cent is not a worker bee
"If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I'll no longer write music," 50 Cent reportedly said in August last year. "I'll write music and work with my other artists, but I won't put out any more solo albums."
"If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I'll no longer write music," 50 Cent reportedly said in August last year. "I'll write music and work with my other artists, but I won't put out any more solo albums."
But as the day of destiny approached, 50 Cent suggested he had been misunderstood and that comparisons between himself "a boss" and a "worker bee" like West were unreasonable.
But as the day of destiny approached, 50 Cent suggested he had been misunderstood and that comparisons between himself "a boss" and a "worker bee" like West were unreasonable.
In the event West comfortably outsold 50 Cent and the latter's fourth solo album is expected some time this year.
In the event West comfortably outsold 50 Cent and the latter's fourth solo album is expected some time this year.
THE NOT REALLY A U-TURN U-TURN
THE NOT REALLY A U-TURN U-TURN
Again in the field of rebranding, there have been few less popular choices than the Post Office group's change to become Consignia. Ridiculed by press and public, incoming chairman Allan Leighton's first decision in office was to scrap it.
Again in the field of rebranding, there have been few less popular choices than the Post Office group's change to become Consignia. Ridiculed by press and public, incoming chairman Allan Leighton's first decision in office was to scrap it.
And after Margaret Thatcher left office in 1990, one of her successor John Major's first decision was to scrap the controversial community charge or "poll tax".
And after Margaret Thatcher left office in 1990, one of her successor John Major's first decision was to scrap the controversial community charge or "poll tax".
Both examples show the easiest U-turn to make is when the U-turner didn't make the original decision.
Both examples show the easiest U-turn to make is when the U-turner didn't make the original decision.
