Heather Robinson

Have you been listening to talk show hosts tell you what are the qualities that make a good leader? Have you read what some journalists or columnists think about our present and past leaders? And have you heard the criticisms levied at our present group of political leaders by private sector leaders?

Last week I listened with interest to one talk show host who told a caller that one of our former Prime Ministers should never make the 'heroes book', but instead had a place in the history books. Every time I hear someone who has never dared to offer their names for placement on a ballot criticize our political leaders for their various shortcomings, I get very annoyed. And it doesn't really matter if the person being drawn over the coals is a Labourite or a Comrade.

It is so easy to talk. It is an extremely difficult decision to make to become a public figure and have to face public scrutiny on a daily basis. It is so easy to ask why the road has so many potholes. It is a totally different thing to get those potholes fixed. It is so easy to constantly complain about political inaction. It is another thing to get projects completed in a timely manner.

When individuals decide at age 30 or 40 that they wish to become representatives of the people, they have made a decision that will live with them and their families for the rest of their lives. In some cases it will be a haunting experience. There aren't many such persons who knew at age 20 or 25 that they wished to offer themselves for public office, and therefore placed themselves on a path designed to ensure victory at that time.

Biggest problem

One of the biggest problems our political parties now face is that of choosing appropriate persons to be candidates in a country that has never seen the need to have stated qualifications or job descriptions for elected representatives. Invariably, we find persons offering themselves for a variety of reasons, some of which are honourable, and others totally dishonourable. But since the system is open, it is the willing who go forward, while the unwilling utilise various positions from which to ostracise the willing.

There is no doubt that in some cases we could do better. But better is relative in a society where many believe that every politician is dishonest, and would never like their relative to become an activist, much more a representative. The reality therefore is simple. We have to accept what we have and try and work with it.

There is no perfect human being. Therefore, there is no perfect leader. But neither offers an excuse or reason for poor leadership. We still have to demand better of our leaders, while at the same time try to attract the best persons to become candidates for representative politics. No leader is without fault, and there is none who has ever received a perfect score. But to seek to attain a perfect score should always be the goal.

In the meanwhile, while some criticise, it would be interesting to see what would be the result of such critics offering to place their names on a ballot. A reversal of roles could prove interesting, but are there any who will make this commitment, and literally put their money where their mouth is?

Programmes designed to destroy those who have been brave enough to represent us should be discouraged. The making of a leader is not an easy task, and those honest ones who get there, need our support.