A larger than life politician with the name of Clarke is back in the news again. This time though it is Mr Jolly not Mr Grumpy. Kenneth Clarke has been proudly touting the findings of his shockingly named “Democracy Task Force”. Perhaps the Tories are hoping that we make a subliminal connection between this and the other “Task Force” from 25 years ago.
In clubs and associations throughout the country there is the common scenario of what to with the ageing committee member who has served the club well in the past, but who is past their prime.
He was quite a good treasurer and generally well liked (even from members of rival clubs), but he stood for club president three times without success, the last time being trounced by a much younger man. You value their past contribution, but you don’t want them to interfere too much, putting off the newer members. What can you do?
You give them “an important task”, like revamping the club’s filing system or devising a new system for distributing the minutes. They attack the task with gusto, genuinely believing that they have been given this “important” task in recognition of their considerable abilities.
Poor Mr Clarke, someone should have said something.