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The strange phenomenon of U-turn aversion
Reversals of earlier decisions — U-turns — attract a lot of criticism, and we tend to be reluctant to make them. Why is that, and is this a problem?
In October 1980, Margaret Thatcher, just in the second year of her role as prime minister, made a speech to the Conservative Party conference that would define her leadership style. Alluding to pressure, including from within her own party, to soften her policy of deregulating the economy and perform a ‘U-turn’, she made arguably the most memorable pun ever heard in such a speech: “ You turn if you want to… the lady’s not for turning.” Forty-two years on, another very new Tory prime minister (who likes to model herself on the Iron Lady) likewise stubbornly refused to consider a U-turn on her government’s “mini” budget, despite significant turmoil in the financial markets, and considerable political opposition — including in her own party — to one particular measure, the abolition of highest rate of income tax. Less than twelve hours after she kept insisting she would not budge, a U-turn was executed. Why are U-turns such a big deal, resisted almost irrationally by those who are urged to do so, and widely derided by many when they are being made?
