Too often we live our lives in a rush, whether we are working to meet tight deadlines, dashing from meeting to meeting, or trying not to be late for school, football practice or medical appointments.
You see similar patterns in Government across the world, with rash decisions forced through more quickly than they ought to be. This could be down to pressure from opposition parties, lobby groups pushing for their goals, and fast-moving events that overtake the decision process and demand immediate intervention.
We could all learn from the mistakes and challenges of the past...if only we paused for a moment to reflect. This affords us the time we need to prepare for what lies ahead.
Families spend weeks preparing for Christmas Day, organising travel arrangements, buying food, decorating their tree and house. These preparations are informed by looking back on what worked in previous years, what people enjoyed the most, and making changes to the things that could have been done better. All this hard work and preparation culminates in Christmas Day. Most traditions remain with a couple tweaked to improve on the previous year. Governments could learn a lesson here.
Reflection is fundamental to good government. It is by listening that a better solution may be found. Often this doesn't require a complete rewrite or stopping a policy in its entirety. Reflection allows policies to broaden their remit or to extend their reach so that more people can benefit.
Preparation for Government involves assessing long-term goals, taking stock of the general direction of travel and being able to change course if necessary. It is about laying out a plan and working towards it. Directions of travel are very seldom a straight line: this is particularly true when unexpected events such as pandemics and wars come into play.
Preparation and reflection locally is also important. I am a strong supporter of people making decisions for their communities. Good preparation at a local level includes having projects ready to go. We have seen instances recently where this has benefitted us locally; the improvements to the A595 at Bothel, the Levelling Up Fund bid that has been submitted for Ramsay Brow and Hall Brow to make access to the Port of Workington easier. We have seen too the work that has been incorporated into both the Future High Street Fund for Maryport and the Town Deal for Workington - projects that will deliver positive changes for two of our town centres.
Returning to our festive theme, I have started a few Christmas traditions of my own! I deliver a Christmas hamper to veterans' homes that is made up of local produce. I hand deliver (and post to more rural areas) a Christmas card to homes across the constituency. I also gift a Christmas book to every primary school aged child in our area. Of course, these activities take a good deal of preparation. Well done not only to the four winners of my Christmas Card Competition but to everyone who took part.
Enjoy your Christmas: I hope you have a wonderful time and get the chance to relax with your loved ones.
