Not specific to this context but...
Changing a position when new facts come to light, or even when further study is done is not a bad thing. I know some of my personal opinions on policies have changed after my perspective has been broadened. Thats is a sign of maturity.
But it is much harder for office holders and parties to do the same thing, especially when it comes to election promises. It means that politicians should be much more careful than they are about making promises.
In the 80s, Canada replaced a tax on wholesale goods (13%) with a goods and services tax (7%). The wholesale tax was hidden, the GST was very visible to the consumer and applied to services which was new. A number of politicians and the Liberal party campaigned in the election to get rid of the tax. When their party was elected, the tax was not repealed. A number of politicians quit. But most stayed on, arguing that since the tax had been implemented,a number of things had come to light. They were unwilling to give up power and the chance to implement a large number of changes they wanted to make, just because they changed direction on one. Who was right? Depends on your perspective.
