THE MORNING THE DAY AFTER
Lars Welinder
Executive and Non Executive Director in developing multi-market businesses
There is never an absolute end, but there is always a new beginning. And that’s what awaits Britain today – my adopted homeland – a new dawn. It’s obviously not looking bright. As a result of a gigantic political own-goal, a large part of the elder generation has “reclaimed” what they actually never had, at the expense of the future of the young and up-coming generation.
But out of that there is a new beginning, because there has to be a future.
There is no point in dwelling on what could have been if only… Now is the time for focus and effort! Britain is a wonderfully diverse nation with London being one of the world’s most dynamic capitals with so much to offer. It’s a centre that has proven that diversity produces prosperity and quality. Even equality! There is so much to build on and the focus now has to be on setting some realistic goals to take the country on to a path that takes it back to where it truly belongs.
It will take time and it will be a challenging journey.
An amicable divorce from the EU is a top priority, but it won’t come easy and contrary to popular beliefs; it will not be cheap. Words from Brussels are: “it wasn’t a happy marriage anyway”. So to start with London’s position as a “financial capital” will be challenged. However, with “independence” comes opportunities so what might be lost on the swings could be recovered on the roundabouts.
And Britain will need friends.
Now is not a time to rub salt into wounds to score points. Now is the time to build bridges as an investment for the future. David Cameron obviously has to bare a big part of the responsibility for putting to People a question that requires so much more insight than what the average citizen can reasonably comprehend. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. He now has the gigantic task to lead the country through one of its most challenging times until a new leader can be appointed. Three month of Hell! And he has to do this with authority without having real authority. Not easy!
Onwards and upwards
So a “bumpy” ride ahead, with obstacles mounting (credit rating, financial turbulence and hostilities from former friends now feeling let down), but now Britain has to prove its real capabilities in order not to irreparably sacrificing the future of the next generation. And the future is up ahead, not behind and not in the history. You are where you are, for whatever reason, and that’s where the future starts.
I don’t know how many remember Britain in the 1970’s? I do! Don’t let it happen again!
Secretary-General at Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR)
8 年Well said. We could do well to review an overlooked part of Churchill's post-Dunkirk "finest hour" speech. "They seek to indict those who were responsible for the guidance of our affairs. This also would be a foolish and pernicious process. There are too many in it. Let each man search his conscience and search his speeches. I frequently search mine. Of this I am quite sure, that if we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future. " Internal squabbles are certainly a bigger threat to our collective future. It is time to roll-up our shelves and face the challenges together.
Independent NED & Chairman. Supporting Business Management. Chairman at Building Compliance Testers Association (BCTA.Group, ATTMA & SITMA). Supporting Competence, Compliance & Performance Testing in Construction.
8 年Lars, well put. I don't think I can add anything that could be printed! I, too, remember doing business in the 70s. However, being in the machine tool industry then, the 80s was a more disastrous period when our industrial base was destroyed by people with similar lack of understanding of how people, the world and business worked - as is the case again. I agree that we will be pulled through this, to the best solution we can hope to achieve, by our most capable business leaders, irrespective of what politicians can throw at us! All the best to you over there, David
Independent NED & Chairman. Supporting Business Management. Chairman at Building Compliance Testers Association (BCTA.Group, ATTMA & SITMA). Supporting Competence, Compliance & Performance Testing in Construction.
8 年And thank you, Goran; we need a little humour when something like this happens!
Independent NED & Chairman. Supporting Business Management. Chairman at Building Compliance Testers Association (BCTA.Group, ATTMA & SITMA). Supporting Competence, Compliance & Performance Testing in Construction.
8 年Lars, I don't think I can add anything to what you say - that can be printed, anyway! And I, too, remember doing business in the 70s. I was in the machine tool industry, so it was worse in the 80s when our industries were destroyed - by people with similar understanding of the world and business as the present regime! It is, therefore (as you say), our trust in our very capable business leaders to pull us through this for the best outcome, regardless of what happens on the political front! All the best to you all over there, David