In praise of … Peter Hendy
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Version 0 of 1. The call, in an era of massaged personas and doublespeak, is for characters of authenticity. Politicians recognise this, and yet they are only half of the equation. The public also yearns for officials who tell it like it is. Officials such as London’s transport commissioner, Peter Hendy, who has pronounced on suburban rail services. He is not a disinterested party; he seeks on behalf of the mayor of London to run rail services in the capital. What is noteworthy is the language. “The trains are like the wild west,” he told Management Today, referring to services from the company Southeastern. “They are shit, awful. And then every now and then some people who look like the Gestapo get on and fine everyone they can. It doesn’t improve your day, does it?” Hendy isn’t the first unelected official to vent in explosive fashion. One time Whitehall colossus Sir Richard Mottram set the standard in 2002 when he said of his department: “We’re all fucked. I’m fucked. You’re fucked. The whole department is fucked. It’s the biggest cock-up ever.” Sir Richard’s remarks were not meant for public consumption, but Sir Peter spoke freely. Such candour brings vigour to public life. |