Thursday, August 21, 2014

Post? Rennard

Yesterday I blogged on Lib Dem Voice  my response to Lord Rennard's readmittance to the party. I've been interested in some of the responses I elicited......hence the - Post? since I have been rightly challenged about the notion that we are anywhere near 'post' the affair.

There are those who argue he has not been found guilty of anything - that we have had due process - that we should all just accept the outcome and welcome him back into the fold. But the fact remains for all too many, in particular the complainants, it is not resolved. And one has to ask, if he has been truly exonerated, why has the leadership made it clear he will take no leading role in the upcoming general election campaign? This is a completely unsatisfactory outcome for everyone, including Lord Rennard. Although, I have to say, if I had been accused of something I vehemently denied I would have asked for a hearing in order to be able to confront my accusers. 

We can't change what has happened, but we all have the power to change the future. Yes, the rules were ridiculous and completely out of step with modern workplace practices, but the genesis of this was people not being prepared to listen or act when concerns were raised. So, let's start listening  to people even when we may consider their perceived grievance as trivial. Let's recognise that the worst of all worlds is to try to brush anything under the carpet. Yes deal with it quietly or in confidence, but deal with it - and never ever tolerate pressure being put on people to keep quiet out of a misplaced sense of loyalty.