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“Get Xmas Done!!”

“For goodness sake, just get Xmas done!”

“We’re fed up. For months, we’ve heard little else.”

“No ifs; no but’s. Let’s stick to the agreed date.”

“December 25th it is. If it can’t be done by then, our leader will die in a ditch rather than extend it by a single date.”

“And as for next year – let’s pass legislation making it illegal to go beyond December 25th 2020. That will stymie anyone who seeks to thwart the will of the people.”

Our resident analyst comments:

“This reflects a successful campaign to focus people’s minds on a simple but effective slogan. Its advocates have successfully avoided much detailed scrutiny, with reports that Santa Claus allegedly hid in a fridge in the North Pole rather than face an interview with Jon Snow.”

Attention will now clearly be on the ability to concentrate on key parts of the country and reward them for having faith in Xmas. Some had abandoned the idea for years, and possibly only returned to the concept because of the charisma of Santa Claus and his new emphasis on social media and clever targeting of those who were most exercised by attempts to postpone the festival.

Imagine – just a few weeks ago, opinion was so divided. There were those who did not believe that going ahead would produce such joy and jubilation. Some said that Santa couldn’t count. That the toys in his sleigh would be fewer than promised, and that he might not get to all the children who had made requests. They had reckoned without the resourcefulness of wily Santa Claus. He’d even gone to the Queen to keep his critics quiet. Not even the Judges of the Supreme Court could dampen the enthusiasm of this ever-optimistic benefactor of mankind. 

In five years time, he knows that his annual journey will, once again, come under question. He realises that climate change is threatening his own home, perched on the Johnson Glacier. He knows that work permits for some of his elves may not be renewed and that the Xmas Extinction movement is on the march. He also knows that austerity might yet return and limit his ability to fill his sleigh with presents people want. 

But in the meantime, consultation with the public has proven it’s worth and, for now, at least, there is no stopping him. 

Off you go, Reindeer – even with Nigel in the front! 

If you liked this ultra-serious thought-leadership piece, you might wish to read other, quality serious Tuesday Topics from the pen of Rhion Jones over the years. They include:- 

Topic 343 The Xmas Party 

Topic 287 Consultation as Pantomime 

Topic 332 Father Christmas accused of sham consultation  

Topic 25 The Ghosts of Consultation – Scrooge sees the past, present and future of Consultation 

Topic 4 Don’t forget the reindeer! – Consulting the recipients of a service is great ….but remember those who deliver the services as well! 

 

This is the 354th  Tuesday Topic; a full list of subjects covered is available for Institute members and is a valuable resource covering so many aspects of consultation and engagement.

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