Business Blog - Dave
I'm always suspicious of anyone in a senior public role called
Dave.
The name is used in a pejorative sense about the Prime Minister
- "Dave" Cameron - but it does not sit easily on the shoulders of a
PM. Then there is Dave Prentis, the trade union leader - but that
sounds more appropriate.
So when David Hartnett, permanent secretary to HM Revenue and
Customs, is introduced as Dave, somehow his stature is
diminished.
Should we trust this Dave? Like many tax officials, he comes
over as arrogant and his initial failure to apologise for a
catastrophic computer error affecting six million people, was
contemptible.
No wonder his political masters got him to change his stance and
issue a belated apology. But because it was only made after this
pressure, the slice of humble pie was distinctly lukewarm.
Dave should have been savvy enough to realise that apologies are
the stuff of politics these days. Everyone does it. So he was out
of step and out of order.
The most fatuous advertising strapline is - sorry Moira - is
"tax isn't taxing." That's a falsehood for it is a huge headache
for millions. We have one of the most complex tax systems in the
world, and the claim should be reported to the Advertising
Standards Authority.
It's a shame that HM Customs and Excise had to merge with the
Revenue. They had a reputation for being slightly more human than
income tax collectors. The whole department is now too unwieldy and
prone to error.
Dave needs to be taught some social skills if his attitude is to
come into line with the friendly tone of his department's
advertising. The debacle has brought stress to millions and it is
time he recognised it as much more than routine
"reconciliation."
Perhaps we would have more respect if he restored the name he
presumably was given at birth.