Time for local government to show its worth

摘要

Throughout your career in the Civil Service and the voluntary sector, you've never shied away from the tough issues. Do you think there is a tendency for public servants to do that? I think people on the whole shy away from conflict. It does not make you popular and obviously politicians have to get themselves elected and therefore they often think that's about popularity. To some degree, it is. I've never had to get myself elected...I have been able therefore to look at and talk about stuff other people have not been able to do. I have to say, quite often when you say something, the vast majority of the public say 'thank God someone is talking common sense'.