WHEN Tony Blair announced last week that we would have a referendum on the European constitution the big story was not about the referendum but about his U-turn.

The message appears to be clear. Forget the reasons for the decision, a U-turn is a bad thing.

Surely this can't be right? We seem to be creating some sort of macho culture in which changing your mind is a sign of weakness.

Wouldn't it be better to recognise the reality that changing your mind is often a sign of strength?

It is said that unsuccessful business people make one decision a day, which is always right. Successful ones make 10 decisions a day, only half of which are right.

The underlying message is that it is important to make decisions and to move forwards. However, if you occupy this territory you also need to accept that you will from time to time make wrong decisions.

When you recognise that this is what you have done, a U-turn is a jolly good idea.

A U-turn is not necessarily a bad thing.

I respect Blair more for being prepared to change his mind than I would have done had he held to his course against what appears to be the overwhelming weight of public opinion.