Regularly we get told about the need for constitutional reform, generally when a political anniversary approaches and a day of national holiday is celebrated with greater pomp than usual. This year was no exception.

The reasons brought forward to justify the need for reform include the arguments that times have changed... that it is appropriate to introduce more/less transparency/control/accountability etc. etc. All these statements always left me rather cold. No matter what may be said, the constitution as written provides a reasonable framework for the democratic running of the country.

It is true that it has not always been applied in the right manner, which would require a respect towards the institutions set up under the constitution. More than once this was not shown, like for instance in how duties that follow from the correct running of the institutions are rendered. While the letter of the constitution was observed, the same did not hold by way of respect for its spirit and what that respect really implied.

Strangely, those who demand constitutional reform never begin by asking for a full catalogue of how and where constitutional precepts were observed in ways that did not show them a full respect.

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FINANCING POLITICS

Eveybody knows that political parties are largely financed by the donations they receive from ordinary citizens and private businesses. Many criticise this system because it brings parties under pressure from those who have given them financial support (mostly businesses) and who expect that decisions taken later will be of benefit to them. For a number of years I was involved in political fund-raising of this kind and can only say that I never came face to face with a direct request phrased in terms similar to "Here's my contribution, now listen to what I'd like for it..." Which doesn't exclude that in some manner, pressure could have been exerted via other channels...

Still I will always remember what a leading, very experienced businessman once told me (and he shall remain nameless): "I'm sorry but I don't much like donating to political parties. I prefer to help directly those of their candidates whom I like and who show promise."

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SHAMEFUL

That a skip is left just after a bend in the middle of a main road, used by cars and motorcyles, which has been built for such traffic to avoid having to pass through a village core... not only violates every rule there should be, but is a total negation of common sense. Then a tragedy happens... as it has done.. and nobody is responsible. That these shameful acts continue to happen and it's as if there's nobody to blame is absolutely unacceptable.

Nor is it acceptable that what happens after the tragedy remains blurred in legal procedures (when they get started) and stratagems for the case to go into delay mode till all those involved have left the scene. Unless, that is, a strong public or political protest arises to press for action...

However not all tragedies which happen on public works run by the government or the private sector manage to provoke a scandal that really shakes up the powers that be.