The rocky shore

It's one of nature's little jokes, that those of us (of a certain age) who like to look backwards more than we used to (or should do), suffer from advancing restriction around our atlanto-axial joint (between the first and the third cervical vertebrae – but you knew that, didn't you?).

The result is that the young, who (we think) should spend more time metaphorically looking over their shoulders, are well equipped, anatomically speaking, to do so, but don't, while I can only manage a quick squint backwards, and have to do my reflecting in print.

Anyway, what set me off this time was the use of the words 'No dreaded UDAs' spoken by Earl Howe at the BDA Conference at the end of April. That a minister should use a phrase such as that reflects his Government's distaste of the 2006 contract methodology is not too surprising. He can always blame it on the last lot. But when you think who writes (or at least assists in writing) his speeches for him – well, surely that must include some who had a hand in that contract's introduction?