Surely there must be a better way

AS Storm Gertrude swept the country and continued the destructive work of Barney, Clodagh, Desmond, Eva, and Frank — the next one will be called Henry — the flat earthers arguing about climate change, especially those suggesting that we do not have to quickly and radically change our habits, seem ever more ridiculous and dangerous.

Flooding may have fallen down the news agenda and as the Government’s efforts to persuade the insurance companies to offer affordable coverage to those in flood-prone areas run into the sands, those who not so long ago dominated prime time news bulletins are still trying to rebuild their homes. Some of them may be beginning to wonder if the help so freely promised might ever materialise. These are pressing, central issues but the very minute the election is called — next week apparently — they will be forgotten.

And there’s the rub — the very short political cycle, in terms of instigating great change at least, means that the huge questions and the smaller issues preventing their resolution hardly ever get tackled with the urgency and persistence they demand. Everything from health services, pensions, climate change, education funding, and even water infrastructure are long-fingered. Even relatively minor issues like deciding if it’s possible or even prudent to try to protect all areas from flooding get dodged and left to the next administration. Surely there’s a better way of doing things.