Why people are turning to political leaders the likes of Marine Le Pen, France’s National Front far-right leader, Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party and Donald Trump, Republican Party nominee in battle with Hilary Clinton, the Democratic Party’s contender in the upcoming US elections is anybody’s guess. Farage, one of the pilots of the “Brexit” campaign has, within days of the referendum result, chickened out and left the stage to others to make sense of the vote and its implications.
Le Pen and Trump have gained a strong foothold in their country’s politics. And both stand a chance of leading their respective country. Both are exploiting the frustration of their citizens. Unfilled promises have encouraged many citizens to look elsewhere for shelter. With wider social inequalities rocketing sky-high, leaders the likes of Le Pen and Trump found fertile ground to disseminate populist but treacherous ideals. Ideals which offer no form of social cohesion; on the contrary, they promote protectionism and borders. Both, like Farage, are capable to play with the citizens’ emotions and fears.
There is no doubt, a more co-ordinated effort has to be made on the world-stage to address issues which have, and are still, troubling people around the world. In this regard, more efforts on the ground have to be done, while bold initiatives to tackle inequality remain crucial. In addition to stop-gap measures, aimed at immediately improving people’s economic circumstances, political leaders must develop systems to ensure that citizens are equipped to thrive in a globalised world.
Locally, one may feel profoundly disappointed, betrayed, even hurt with the behaviour of our political leaders, their immediate colleagues and subordinates militating in the political arena but this is not the time to turn a blind eye. Our political leaders are duty-bound to lead. They are not expected to, and should not, provide shelter to the selected few acolytes and leave the rest in the cold.
The allegations of serious cases of corruption which are constantly surfacing are not helping in any way the political class earn the desired respect from the electorate. Apart from the fact the corruption of whatever nature should be arrested it seems that the competent authorities are either weak or lack the necessary competencies to address the alleged cases of corruption.
This should of concern to one and all. Evidently, some of our political leaders are in the pockets of the selected few business people. Others in the hands of those who want to instil fear amongst people waiting for the right time to strike like a pack of hungry wolves.
It such circumstances far-right leaders take the lead.
Against this backdrop I wonder how many well-meaning, aspiring young politicians would be attracted or encouraged to enter into the political arena. A word of caution here is appropriate. Whatever the case, our nation should not be allowed to be run by a group of corrupt politicians and their elves.
Now that I have taken this off my chest I must emphasise that blanket statements are not fit and proper and should be avoided. It is not fair to state that all politicians are evil. Admittedly, blanket statements come in easy. Perhaps that is why they are so commonly used in our daily jargon. On the other hand the gratuitous reasoning of setting the two or more political perspectives against each-other will not lead us far.
Political leaders should not be expected to answer for all the criticism that is levelled in their direction. However, political leaders are duty bound to address constructive criticism particularly when such criticism revolves around serious cases of alleged corruption. People’s concerns should be ironed out by the leaders of the political formations without interfering into the functions of the competent authorities. This has nothing to do with political parties or their political ideologies. It all boils down to our present state of affairs and our future.
Our society is not immune to what others, by far larger countries, have and are still experiencing. God forbid we go down that road. However, we should be very cautious. Before putting our minds at rest we have to keep our political leaders’ reign well within our reach. Identifying who is in the pocket of whom and who is protecting who should be a very good and smart move.
Lest I forget, I want to go on record, I am certain most of our politicians are hard-working, well-meaning and deserve our trust so let’s make an extra effort and uproot those embroiled in corruption for starters. Dr Simon Busuttil, Leader of the Opposition has repeatedly stressed that his values are not for sale. I say it is a strong political commitment.
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