He was a fairly competent chairman of Housing [on Lambeth Council]. Every time he gets up now I keep thinking, 'What on earth is Councillor Major doing?' I can't believe he's here and sometimes I think he can't either.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This expresses disbelief at someone's continued presence in a role despite perceived incompetence.
- In plain terms
- I cannot believe this person is still in that job.
- What can you take from it?
- Long tenure does not always imply competence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do incompetent people stay in power?
- How do you assess capability?
Another view
It assumes incompetence without providing evidence of failure.
More from Tony Banks
...so unpopular, if he became a funeral director people would stop dying
Permalink to quote #3 I have gone to a safe house, as they say, so I might as well have a different name
Permalink to quote #5 She is a half-mad old bag lady. The Finchley Whinger.
Permalink to quote #2
Related quotes
When you meet the president, you ask yourself, 'How did it ever occur to anybody that he should be governor much less president?'
Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger quote #56 I feel as if it were time for me to write to someone who will believe what I write. I have been for some time in the atmosphere of certain success, so that I h…
Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland quote #3 A foreign minister who knew little of foreign affairs and nothing of foreign policy.
Joachim von RibbentropJoachim von Ribbentrop quote #12