Stripping Sir Fred Goodwin of his knighthood is a very bad idea!

Calls for Sir Fred Goodwin, to be stripped of his Knighthood are mean-spirited plus they are demeaning for the Honors system and consequently our nation. I think all three party leaders are dodging the real issue here and should focus on finding solutions to the banking system, its regulation, practices and other functions – specially leading.

Besides, why now, what suddenly changed!?

I understand if Sir Goodwin was found guilty and convicted of a crime in a court of law – which then means he has dishonored the crown and the nation – but not because we now don’t like bankers he should be made the scapegoat, especially when we have convicted jail birds still titled!

And, even though Fred Goodwin was the head of the Royal Bank of Scotland, he is not the only person to blame for its collapse. What happened in banking and the culture of banking, whether in the UK or the US, is far too complex to balm on anyone person, and it is the duty of politicians to understand it and legislate to protect the public form it happing again – but not pass sentences to temporarily appease those who scream the loudest.

Furthermore, if an independent body decides who should or should not be honored then it’s the duty of that body or a similar body to decide who should or should not be stripped off that honor, but definitely not politicians.

The culture of having someone or something to blame when things go wrong is a dangerous trap and both leaders and politicians should be careful not to fall in it. Fred Goodwin made mistakes during his leadership but so did Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, John Major and Baroness Thatcher, many people do every day. People make mistakes but we need to remember that only those who take risks chance making mistakes because the ones who play it safe don’t.

Punishing Goodwin for making a mistake – for decisions that at the time had the blessings of everyone – is a bigger mistake than him losing RBS’ money because of the signal it sends. If we start rewarding people for doing good then later when we feel different dishonor them, no one will risk taking a chance on anything – and just imagine a world without exploring and looking for new solutions, cures and ways of doing things better.

All those who are today calling for his head need to be very, very careful were their calls might lead to. They will undoubtedly set a precedent, maybe even open a Pandora’s Box and no telling who or what mistake will fall prey next!

It’s a big mistake, very, very big, HUGE mistake!