“The PM has decided that we need a national transport policy” says the PM’s special advisor, Sir Mark Spencer. “Yes, well, why not?” answers the Minister, Jim Fracker – sorry, Jim Hacker. It’s pointed out to him by Sir Spencer that “We need a policy”. “We did have a policy before” replies Hacker. “Did we?” asks Spencer. The minister goes on: “Yes, it was our policy not to have a policy”.

The ‘Bed of Nails’ episode of Yes Minister is a classic for all transport buffs. You can watch it here: https://lnkd.in/e4DUqW_T.

What is remarkable is that it was first broadcast 40 years ago and is still as funny as ever. Why? Well because the country still needs an integrated transport policy but doesn’t have one – and the reason it doesn’t is because what the country needs may not be what politicians need. It is an uncomfortable situation, a bed of nails.

With a shuffle in the UK’s current Cabinet of Government, a new Secretary of State for Transport has been appointed – Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP. Like those before her, she will be hearing from political advisors and technical advisors. The advice may well not be the same.

The latest issue of Local Transport Today very nicely sets out a reminder of this ministerial changeover for the transport portfolio and then includes advice or pleas from 12 good women and men (I would have liked to see more of the former) to the new Secretary of State.

Easier to give advice than to act upon it. I hope the Secretary of State will at least be listening – and perhaps will hold this advice in mind when she is bombarded in the days and weeks ahead with other (quite possibly contrary) advice (political or technical).

I’ve been given permission to share the LTT article below.

#integratedtransport#politics#bedofnails#policymaking#wickedproblems#transportpolicy#decarbonisation

TransportXtraDeniz HuseyinRod FletcherJonathan BrayMartina JuvaraTom van VurenTom CohenJo Field Chart.PR FCIPR FCIHTRod King MBEMark FrostDavid LeederDavid MetzChris ToddJohn Dales