Does optics need a Trump? Was the question posed in this column just a year ago.
The question was raised in response to the ‘dead hand of risk-averse greyness’ among those who control and govern society and the frustration among the rest of the populous.
At that time we were heading into the EU referendum with all the smart money on a vote remain – but Britain voted for Brexit. A few months later The Donald entered the White House in equally surprising circumstances for the pollsters.
Disconnect is an ungainly word but it sums up neatly the difference between what the ordinary person in the street says and feels and what many paid representatives say, I doubt we ever find out what they feel.
With another vote just around the corner, Optician once again asks its readers what they want to know from prospective MPs and what polices they would like them to implement (In Focus). Optician opened the invitation to those in office and ordinary members of the profession – members who face the public every day and ask them for hard cash or a swipe of their card.
Not surprisingly it is those at the coalface who address the questions posed and whose responses resonate with honesty and clarity.
I wouldn’t suggest optics needs a Trump but it certainly needs leaders who listen to the rank and file they represent. The optical bodies need to worry less about staying ‘on side’ with the politicians and start finding ways to make government sit up and listen. ABDO’s Fiona Anderson has proved optical bodies can bring passion to their beliefs.
Playing nice hasn’t worked for optics, if it wants serious consideration and serious funding it needs to make its presence felt – seriously.