ANYONE looking to be elected to political office must have driving personal ambition, that is understandable, right and proper. Who needs someone in a job who would rather be elsewhere?
Survival of the fittest plays a big role in such scenarios. In other professions, lets say acting, truly “big stars” not only have personal ambition they have talent. They have learned to do things that “ordinary folks” might think they can do but actually only with talent and experience can the “big stars” achieve fetes of the impossible.
I can attest from my involvement that the majority of successful actors are humble, generous and appreciative of their peers. They understand that team work creates great productions. Team effort pulls each new audience “on-side” making the life of each audience member a wee bit better, even if an audience member came to a show under protest to appease a spouse, or they picked the wrong screen at the multiplex.
Write a list of former politicians labelled “These Politicians were not only fiercely ambitious for themselves but have the desire to make their community/town/county/country to be a better place for all its inhabitants”. In Scotland I know some personally, and I know others by their reputation. I think that is a wonderful thing and think that we are fortunate to have many such politicians in our Holyrood Parliament.
Looking south of our border or to the USA in recent times, there have been two horrendous examples of politicians whose driving personal ambition has had hardly a gram of concern for the welfare or betterment of the society over which they have been elected to govern.
Donald Trump’s long list of catastrophes includes allowing manufacturers to dump raw effluent into the water courses of America and loading the Supreme Court with judges who’s attitude towards women’s freedom is hardly different to that of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
That is mirrored by Boris Johnson’s administration in England who relaxed rules allowing the private water companies to release raw sewage into rivers after Brexit caused shortages of the chemicals required to treat it. Now a former Speaker of the House of Lords has warned Johnson not to make many more Tory Peers.
Where has this “right” of exiting Prime Ministers to stock up the Peers come from? Like Trump, Johnson has still ambition to get back to the top job. In my opinion not for the betterment of the people but purely to satisfy their insatiable desire for power.
The Tory party is demonstrating all the reasons why it should it should not be in power.
Rishi Sunak in his overpriced suits and expensive shoes (I have nothing against the shoemakers and tailors, craftsmen remarkable) but how many of us ordinary mortals can relate to the purchase of a suit priced at more than £2000 or shoes £400.
Then there is Liz Truss who has such a grip on gravitas that she could be floating, aye but she does have a ghost like quality.
The pair of them touring about and mouthing what they think people want to hear. “I will send more to Rwanda”, “I will stop the Chinese”.
What is it with this “I” business, when did it get to be that a Prime Minister was “god” and what “I” say will be done? They seem to have no idea that government should be about the people and the environment of the land they have been elected to govern. Their job is to make things better for the population as a whole, not just to make things better for their friends who run the businesses which make more and more money from the edicts of members of the cabinet.
Our Scottish Government are clearly aware of their responsibility towards all citizens who reside here. They, I believe, understand that there are those of us who wish that Scotland is an independent nation once more. It understands that some of us within this group are more impatient than are others. It also knows there are many who wish that Scotland remains in the dis-united Kingdom (in the last 70 years why has no one has changed that to Queendom!).
The stark contrast here is whilst the Tories are choosing a new leader based purely on the personal ambition of two very weak, one might suggest talentless, candidates. Here in Scotland we have highly talented ministers and a leader who, I believe, want a better deal for all who choose to make their home here.
A good government, should be as a good team of theatricals working together to produce a a great show that improves the lives of all our people, even if they show up under duress.
Cher Bonfis
via email
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