‽istis ponders resignings (weekending February 5th 2022)
This week in the UK, as calls for a particular resignation mount (1) and some actually do (perhaps, even proverbially, from a sinking ship?) (2), ‽istis pondered resignings.
A search for ‘great resignings’ did not immediately bring up that powerful speech and resignation from the Government’s Cabinet and position as Leader of the Commons by Robin Cook in 2003 (3) but it did provide links to articles and commentary on a phenomenon identified in the USA: the recent/current ‘Great Resignation’ (4) linked, it would seem, to a reappraisal of work and even of life that some have been able to consider in a pandemic.
Yet, perhaps what a luxury to be able to move from a wish for basic pay - to not being satisfied with just higher pay; from having the security of sick pay and paid time off - to not being satisfied with just more time off; to move from desperately, heartbreakingly wanting some time with the family and a brief respite from excessive long hours or multiple jobs - to not being satisfied with just more time at home… ‘First world’ problems‽
As Jessica Stillman writes (see 4) ‘The period of prolonged uncertainty… is going to make people consider their priorities on many, many levels, including the work they do…. The Great Resignation isn’t primarily about the logistics of work, it’s about its meaning.’
Back in the UK, ‽istis wonders whether similar might be said of resignations from ‘No 10’ (Downing Street)? With the promise of a shake up (5) in the light of a ‘failure of leadership’, it may not be ‘primarily about the logistics’ but more about the meaning of No 10 in a parliamentary democracy.
As we perhaps wait to see if the Prime Minister jumps, is pushed, or somehow hangs on - freezing from the nether parts upwards like some Jack Dawson in icy waters (6) with the remains of a sinking premier ship nearby - ‽istis wonders whether what is perhaps, possibly, may be most needed is a ‘Great Re-signing’, not least starting with a fresh sign up to the Nolan Principles (7) of public life: selflessness, integrity, honesty, accountability, leadership, objectivity, openness.
And if perhaps, possibly, maybe these were to prevail in both public and private lives, well then just imagine how different the world might be‽
© Pistis
NB: further reflections and comments linked to this week’s theme and past blog
entries to be found on Twitter: replies, retweets (which don’t necessarily indicate approval, sometimes the very opposite!) and ‘likes’: @Pistis_wonders. ‘Follows’ and respectful comment and dialogue welcome...
https://www.bigissue.com/news/politics/will-boris-johnson-resign/
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/great-resignation-work-meaning-esther-perel.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pudXdSnR01s (c.4’10”+) PS: other parts in the movie may be allocated at readers’ discretion, perhaps?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLO4xn0gFY8rx2an6GM112Q
