It seems like a good time to ask: what are governments for? | Anne Coombs

Be it renewable energy, manufacturing or urban planning, our natural advantages are being squandered. But what influence do voters really have?

What are governments for? I don't imagine I'm the only one asking myself that question. With political debate spiralling in ever-diminishing circles most intelligent people are left tearing their hair. How did politicians in this country become so timid? And so incapable of using power well?

It's as if the very mechanism we've created to organise ourselves - government - has decided that the one thing it cannot do is organise us. Instead of planning for the future, protecting things of national importance, adapting to the many challenges facing the world, our politicians are burying their heads in the sand, still playing the old games and mouthing the same platitudes.