Are political u-turns really such a bad thing?

Unemployment was rising, civil unrest brewing and the economy had slid into recession.

Then Margaret Thatcher stood on the platform at the Brighton Centre and famously said: "You turn if you want to. This lady's not for turning".

It was a landmark moment for the former Prime Minister as she publicly outright rejected calls to perform a political u-turn on her economic policy.

After that day in 1980, no one doubted the country's first female Prime Minister and her convictions.

It is stark contrast to the politics of the current day, both nationally and locally.

After years of elected representatives sticking to their guns regardless of the shelling around them, it appears the 2010s has become the decade of the political u-turn - the bulldozer has been replaced by the forklift truck.

In Westminster, the beeping sounds coming from a reversing coalition Government were barely silent in its first two years.

More than 30 reversals were totted up from subjects as diverse as health reforms to pasties up to May 2012 as policies lasted days rather than years.

Locally it's a similar picture.

Brighton and Hove City Council's Green administration seems to have taken so many u-turns it's as if its members are playing a game of blind man's bluff.

Within hours of taking charge in May 2011 the Greens had to row back on a promise not to evict any unauthorised traveller encampments. Since then there have been policy u-turns practically every month with major changes to commitments on parking charges, resisting cuts and building on the city's urban fringe.

The latest one only last week was on schools when the Greens, critical of the academy and free school process, backed a bid by City College Brighton and Hove to start a studio school.

This would follow the academy process and provide education to 300 14 to 19-year-olds away from town hall control.

Council chiefs will claim there has to be some sort of pragmatism given the growing schools place crisis in the city.

But for opponents it is another chunk of ammunition they can hurl towards the minority administration.

The problem at both levels is realism and idealism never match up.

Neither the Greens in the city nor the coalition partners nationally expected to be governing.

Manifesto promises drawn up a hurry may look a bit silly after a few months in charge.

Pragmatism always outplays promises when it comes to making decisions.

Throw in the age of 24-hour media scrutiny with the addition of financial difficulties and it's no wonder that politicians fly off-piste every now and again.

So should the electorate really care?

On the whole, no.

It would be easy to slam the decision makers for failing to deliver on their promises.

But, ask yourself, are the things you said you would do three years ago priorities now? When times are tough a u-turn can be a good thing as it comes across that politicians are listening.

Serious questions should be asked when policy on the big topics, such as the economy, hit the wall.

A bit of sensible manoeuvring along the way can only be a good thing.

After all, most would much rather a u-turn on the way rather than repeatedly driving round a roundabout with no idea which junction to turn off at.

Let's fly the flag for unity

Humans, by nature, are a partisan lot. Whether it's on the football terrace or his and her bath robes, we all strive for ways in which we can display our true colours to others.

Take a trip to certain areas of the United States and individuals have their own flagpole with the stars and stripes flying high.

But recently in this country we have had a reminder of what partisanship can lead to.

Last month Belfast City Council took the decision to stop flying the Union Jack from City Hall every day.

The decision has sparked weeks of unrest with the simmering tension between loyalists and nationalists bubbling over into clashes in the street. Critics of nationalism will perhaps claim that it shows why the creation of countries is bad, and why there should only be one nation called humanity.

But it would be wrong to blame the recent events in Northern Ireland on a single flag and not years of political wrongs.

In some ways the Ulster uprisings go to show the importance people place on identity.

Where would Lancashire and Yorkshire be without the respective red and white roses?

Even Greater London has a teddy bear with funny hair called Boris as its mascot.

Is it not time that we have a greater Sussex flag?

There is one design which is used by West Sussex County Council on Sussex Day in June. But why not have a universal one which can be flown at all the town halls across the country at times of triumph and celebration.

It would certainly be one way in which to bring the east, west and Brighton and Hove elements of the county together.

Local link

Lots of decorating jibes have been sloshed around after the Prime Minister likened the coalition to Ronseal for "doing exactly what it says on the tin".

But does Dave realise the varnish he refers to actually has its roots in Portslade?

Local traders will no doubt say its link to Sussex could perhaps explain its ability to stand up to pressure from all sides.

Nervous time for councillor

While most of Sussex was keeping a look out for the threat of snow, one city councillor took a very keen interest in the weather forecast.

The reason: he was off on holiday to France and didn't want to be trapped on the A27.

Get painting

In my last column I asked whether Brighton and Hove City Council had made an apostrophe error with a new road sign titled Princes Place, off North Street.

Thanks to former city councillor Averil Older who confirmed a Victorian street directory showed it used to be Prince's Place.

Maybe it's time for the local authority to get the black paint out...