Is it really necessary to elect a new Regional Executive every year?

I have noted before that, courtesy of my new lifestyle, I've developed an awkward tendency to ask questions like "Why...?".

One of those questions was, "Why do we elect a new Regional Executive every year, given their role?". So, I drafted some amendments to our Regional Constitution, proposing a two-year term, and ran them past the Regional Executive. They had no objection, and so it was agreed that they could be debated at Regional Conference.

Of course, our Region has, amongst its membership, the legendary Colin Rosenstiel, not exactly prone to ignoring constitutional change, so there was a risk of debate, and I was prepared to get up and defend my proposals. What I had failed to realise was that, in producing the Conference Agenda booklet, Lorna, our ever-alert Regional Administrator, had included my justification for each amendment.

As it turned out, Colin had read all of the proposed changes, and was content. So, on being called to move the motion to adopt them by the session Chair, the ever fragrant Baroness Scott of Needham Market, I thanked my wife for her warm introduction and simply moved them formally. And, apart from a point of clarification, there were no apparent concerns, so I summated formally and watched as the constitution was amended without opposition.

So, next year, the East of England Liberal Democrats will elect an Executive Committee for the two years ending on 31 December 2014, allowing the new team to take a more strategic view, and making them more likely to deliver upon it.

I can't help but think that, at least for the time being, my work here is done...