PORT STRATEGIST

Some pretty awful things came to light, claims for: payment of mortgage interest where the mortgage had actually been paid off; for that ‘everyday problem’ of having the moat cleaned out in your castle-like residence; and avoiding capital gains tax by designating a second home as a main residence. What hit the British public in the eye was not just the fact that many MPs (not all) were abusing a system designed to assist them through the ‘rigours’ of public life but that such a system, literally hidden from the public eye, was in place at all.

It was pitiful to watch one MP on the BBC programme Question Time try to defend the system, saying it was necessary to have such a system in place in order to facilitate MPs getting to work early and leaving late. “What like a normal job,” quipped Question Time’s chairman to the much voiced mirth of the studio audience! That the individual concerned was way out of tune with the public and certainly his own constituency members was plain to see. Odds on he will be gone at the next general election and that he will not be the only elected member to be thrown out of the door with short thrift by a public who have had more than enough of excessive vested interest.

The shape of things to come with MPs was vividly highlighted by the fate of Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons who became the first speaker for 300 years to be hounded out of office basically because he would not stand up for what was right and proper in terms of conduct, and effectively sought to downplay the expenses scandal.

None of this, of course, has a direct link to the ports and shipping sector but within this striking experience there are some interesting lessons to learn.

First, of course, rules are rules and it is important to keep on the right side of them, and not to abuse the spirit of them.

But secondly, whatever ‘market’ you are in you have to stay in touch with the heartbeat of it. Presumably, that is what good PR is about? The pitiful individual on Question Time and the experience of the Speaker both indicate that in geographical terms they were in another galaxy. Not a good place to be when you are trying to steer any organisation.