Heather, RobinsonONE OF the questions that politicians must constantly ask of themselves is: Have I done my best?
This question can be asked of most areas of political work. Has your Member of Parliament done their best for the children and schools in the constituency?
Has the MP done their best for improving the conditions of roads and water supply? Did your MP do his or her best post-Ivan? Has your MP made the best representation of your interests in Parliament?
And there are many more questions that can be posed, but today I wish to focus on one area of national concern. This is the national concern we all have about security.
WHAT CAN POLITICIANS DO?
There have been many discussions about the role of politicians in crime reduction. Some analysts believe that the levels of criminal activity can no longer be influenced or curtailed by political representatives.
They argue that the big drug dons now control and exercise maximum influence, hence the politicians' inability to assist because they have lost the authority to tell constituents what to do.
Illegal drugs, extortion and other criminal financial proceeds are far larger than government expenditure in any constituency or parish council division.
What then can politicians do in such an environment where, with each passing day, it appears that their moral authority is being eaten away by the king fishes of the world.
The first response that our elected representatives need to make involves ensuring that it is crystal clear to all constituents king fish and sprat alike that that they are standing on the side of what is right and legal.
Even the dumbest imbecile must be able to understand from the MP or Councillor's actions and behaviour on whose side they stand. So politicians can no longer afford to send signals that confuse or create doubt in the minds of the electors.
So if it involves modifying one's behaviour and lifestyle, then that is what must be done.
If there are places that an MP was accustomed to visit that can possibly provide fodder for idle talk within a constituency or raise the eyebrows of the police, then that MP should leave that place alone and hope that from future actions both the constituents and the police officers will be convinced that that was an aberration.
OPEN AND PRACTICAL
Secondly, MPs need to be open and practical in their support of the work of the police. Criminals must know that if an MP sees a wrong committed or is told of an illegal act, that their MP will firstly not condone such an act and, secondly, report it to the police.
MPs need also to see how best they can improve the physical conditions under which police in their constituencies work. Sometimes improvements can be made that involve community members or it could be the provision of a small item such as a fax machine.
During the course of one's political life there are always times for reflection reflection on the progress made and anticipation of the days and years ahead.
During these periods of quiet meditation, the mind can become consumed with thoughts of 'what if'.
CONSCIENCE-DRIVEN
The process of 'what iffing' must be conscience-driven, and hopefully at its end a good night's sleep will be had by all so deserving. Political experience teaches that life during politics and life after politics are two completely different experiences.
So before one reaches the point where there is very little that can be done, all active politicians should tell the police what they know and get a deserved good night's sleep.
Is there any politician who has ever contemplated using their best persuasive skills to gain information about the location of king fish and most wanted men?
Or is it easier to criticise the police for their inability to detain such persons, while our Heavenly Father knows that you know how to get the information on their whereabouts to give the police?
The human conscience is a big part of our make-up, but then if yours is small or non-existent, you do not fall into the category of normal human beings who at some point ask, 'Have I done my best'? Did I hear 60 responses saying 'Yes'?
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
