RAY HOPPER must be reading my stuff.
He seems to be using the lessons on rebellion I covered in
last week’s article. Go to the top of
the class, Ray.
Last Friday I started a discourse on the lessons from the American
War of Independence for rebellious LNP members.
One of the two lessons was that rebels will often blame the King’s deputies.
King George III, looking either serious or unhappy. |
Hopper gave credit to Newman for actually winning the seat
and frustrating their plans.
But the third of the three lessons from the American War of
Independence is that blaming the leader’s lieutenants for vindictive treatment
of rebels can be fallacious and self-delusional.
Take heed Carl Judge, Alex Douglas and Ray Hopper – the
stiff-necked and inflexible reaction against dissidents comes from the top.
Far be it that the leader is a dupe of his underlings. He is the true author of the rebel’s miseries.
It is no use for Clive Palmer or Ray Hopper to appeal to
Campbell Newman. His style of leadership
has set a pattern for intolerance of dissent throughout the organisation.
It was no good appealing to King George III in the 1770’s. He was leading the charge against the
rebellious colonists himself.
At the time it was not recognised fully, but after the Americans
got their independence, it was clear that “at every turn of the way, it was the
King who insisted on fighting on” (p.357, “The Long Fuse”, Don Cook).
One-time Minister and Opposition Leader Charles James Fox
actually said later in Parliament that “it was the influence of the Crown …
that enabled His Majesty’s Ministers to persevere against the voice of reason,
the voice of truth, the voice of the people.”
And George III himself said to John Adams, the first American
ambassador in Great Britain, “I was the last to consent to separation.”
Up to the English surrender at Yorktown in 1783 and even beyond,
George III never wavered over the American Question. He broke his own governments that did not accede
to his views and persecution of the war.
Sooner or later, rebels have to recognise that the problems
and judgement come from the top: ask any MBA graduate who has studied leadership.
Here’s another point. Whether we are in colonial Boston or
post-colonial Brisbane, we cannot assume that the rebels are erroneously
focusing their discontent on the King’s lieutenants.
Ray Hooper, looking serious but not unhappy. theaustralian.com.au |
They may be just shielding themselves from his power, and
are focusing on easier and less risky targets.
So there are the three lessons of rebellion for the LNP
members walking off the plank, and for those of us watching the shipside
splashes with interest.
But the Hopper-Judge-Palmer-Douglas rebellion may not end
with a split of the LNP empire.
Never underestimate the ability of politicians to recross
those burnt bridges. And never underestimate
their desire to lavish compliments and praise upon powerful men. Just in case.
John Adams, the leading American revolutionary and second
American President, said to King George III he would be the “happiest of men if
I can be instrumental in recommending my country … to your Majesty’s royal
benevolence.”
The disaffected LNP members may not be revolutionaries. Just disgruntled. The choice of the leader is whether to make
them rebels.