Afternoon Quote by Ken Livingstone
“The Tories had the legal right to demand extra meetings of the council but I could decide when they would be held and always called them for Friday afternoons, knowing that three or four of the richer Tories went to the country early and were not prepared to stay in the city beyond lunchtime. I realised that nothing in politics is new when I read in Suetonius's The Twelve Caesars that Julius Caesar pulled the same trick when reactionaries in the senate were making his life difficult.”
About This Quote
Political leaders can manipulate meeting schedules to disadvantage opponents, a tactic used historically from ancient Rome to modern politics.
In simple terms: Scheduling can be used as a power move.
Key Takeaway
Beware of procedural manipulation.
Themes
politics
strategy
history
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
historical
strategic
When to use this quote
- legislative sessions
- campaign planning
- negotiations
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
power dynamics
agenda setting
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards ensure fair scheduling?
- How does history inform current political tactics?
A Different Perspective
Such tactics can erode trust and fairness in governance.
![“Looking back on it now, I understand why that was not possible [to express ourselves], because the pottery employed a dozen people, not all of whom are making pots. And these people had families, children, and they had to have a wage that would allow them to raise their family and they had to get…” quote by Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c6/warren-mackenzie-4654_afternoon_looking-back-on-it-now-i-understand-why_1308684.jpg)
