Many of you will have heard the phrase "may you live in interesting times" - reputed to be an ancient Chinese curse. In my five terms on Steering I feel that I have lived in just those interesitng times mentioned above.
It has not been an easy three terms as Chair, there have been more crises per month than I believe has been usual in the past. The most important work of Steering Committee in my opinion has been in upholding the democratic process. There are no acceptable alternatives to democracy unless we want autocracy (government with unrestricted power) or anarachy (no government). Unfortunately for some, democracy means following rules. There have been times when Council has overturned rulings, not because they were wrong, or even questionable, but because Council wanted to, because they felt it politically desirable. One of my predecessors resigned over such an issue and I can put it no better than he did when he said that the Constitution may only be twenty sheets of A4 paper, but it is all that stands between us and the rule of the mob. In the name of following the rules Steering has had to make unpopular decisions, it has had to make difficult decisions, decisions that we did not want to make but felt bound to because in the final analysis personal feelings should not enter in to the decisions of the Committee.