You ruined my birthday! (From Times Series)

You ruined my birthday!

6:45pm Tuesday 17th July 2007

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For once it wasn’t me to blame! Ken Livingstone came to talk to me and other north London council leaders the other night and after a pleasant meal a young woman came up to Ken and introduced herself.

She then said "today’s my birthday" and we all sat expectantly waiting for the request for a photo or signature with Ken. Love him or loathe him – (he’s not known as the marmite candidate for nothing) -he is a known face. She then said, "thank you for ruining my birthday!"

I was a little stunned. Ken may have a nasty side (don’t we all?) but I hadn’t seen him disappear over to her table to mess with her food or nick her drinks. Perhaps she had just been into Central London, paid the Congestion Charge and been surprised still to find congestion!

Whatever the reason it seemed a tad unfair but it did get me thinking that political leaders do have to have broad shoulders. President Truman used to have a sign on his desk saying “The buck stops here!” And to a degree that should still be true. Residents expect the man/woman at the top to take responsibility and sort things out. Sadly in these days of executive agencies and regional bodies for that or arms length thingies for the other (we don’t call them quangoes anymore) often the buck stops with someone else.

So as I saw Ken laugh off the insult I felt a little sorry for him (but don’t worry not for long) and I resolved to ensure I blamed quangoes less and tried to so something about it more. No one said it would be easy but I do like to get things done.