AS KIDS, playing footie in the park, if we were on the winning side we learned to watch out for our opponents’ signature tactic: move the goalposts.
Create a distraction, extend the goal markers, and immediately when play resumes, their striker smashes the ball into the back of the net!
The furore and hilarity that ensued drowned out any accusations of cheating.
All harmless fun, of course, but the life lesson we learned was to always challenge a situation, never to accept anything at face value.
Real-life duplicity is a tactic frequently applied, with catastrophic disruption to people’s lives. Changing policy is all too often used by business and governing bodies, leaving those affected at an unfair disadvantage.
READ MORE: Fears boundary change could make Tranent a 'suburb of Edinburgh'
Take WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women born in the 1950s who had their retirement plans “plunged into chaos” by badly communicated pension changes. The Government has saved over 180 billion pounds, at terrible cost of hardship borne by 3.6 million women.
The Post Office scandal is another prime example.
Then there is the shingles vaccine rollout offered to everyone over 70 and those who are now 65. If you are 65 and a day, you will have to wait five years for protection against a debilitating condition. Who approves this unequal share of resources?
Closer to home, the Boundaries Scotland proposal to unilaterally change our county’s brand ‘East Lothian’ to ‘Lothian Eastern’ for future Scottish Parliament elections, is the latest unnecessary change of goalposts.
Having grown up in East Lothian, I am proud of our environment, hospitality, health, and education offer. I understand, as a community, we have all worked hard to build a global, trustworthy, premium brand. Tourists and golfers return, sure of an outstanding welcome. East Lothian Food & Drink is a sought-after stamp of quality.
READ MORE: Local inquiry held into proposed boundary changes in East Lothian
Why should we allow any external government body to mess with our identity?
One could be alerted to ask: “Why?”
The call ‘cheat’ is ringing in my ears.
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