Why is consistency so absurdly prized by the British mass media? This morning there are reports that Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State responsible for the railways, has decided to compensate Railtrack shareholders for his decision to put the company into administration. This immediately starts up the media (and political) gibe “U-Turn, U-Turn, yah boo!”. But why shouldn’t ministers change their minds? After all, circumstances change. The really stupid people are those who refuse to countenance changing their minds, no matter what happens.