Do we expect too much from politicians?

WHY is it we struggle so much to be honest about being behind schedule or not being able to cope?

Talking to a few fellow unwell people last week (I too was hit by a nasty bug) we were lamenting the fact that no sooner are we well enough to get back to work, it begins at full pace, with no gentle lead-in to adjust for lower energy levels, so desperate are colleagues to be back to a full crew.

Surely it benefits us all to go slowly, to build back up gradually and to build resilience. To prime our immune systems for the next time rather than keeping our bodies always a moment away from another nasty cold. Athletes and singers do this really well – they never rush back to work before they are ready and they work hard to rebuild strength before they get there. We really should follow suit.

Whether delays were due to illness or just generally being overloaded with work, I used to hide not having done my work or not having finished it as well as I could under gentle lies such as ‘It’s almost finished’ or ‘I was just getting someone to read it through before I send it out to you’, for example. I have no idea if anyone believed me but it gave me comfort that I was saving face, or so I thought. I just assumed clients and colleagues, even friends, would think less of me if I said I was under pressure and not coping as well as I would like, if I just asked for more time.

The reality is a little different and I now believe that admitting that we need help, time or support and that we simply can’t get something done is brave and necessary and I would love to see more of it, particularly in public life. It’s also a source of great release as we dump the burden of the unrealistic time-frame and come back to the real world of conflicting demands and, well, simply being human.

None of us can function at 100% all of the time and cutting yourself and others some slack not only gives you a break, it opens the door for someone else to do the same, and thus a virtuous circle of kindness is created. We have much more control over all of this than we think, lowering our own expectations of how quickly things can be done has a powerful knock-on effect on others. It is not easy and involves some adjustment – I am not the world’s most patient of people myself – but it is possible.

With this in mind, we don’t give our politicians enough credit. I mean it. We really don’t.

They’re often going above and beyond to get things done and do the right thing for our island. It might look easy but giving up evenings, weekends, your privacy and right to express yourself without risk of things being taken the wrong way, takes its toll over time. These people also get sick and also need a break. They need to be free to lose a vote without worrying about losing their job to boot.

Deciding to become a politician takes a certain level of confidence, combined with an overwhelming drive to make a difference. A drive that’s hard to ignore and almost pushes some people, begrudgingly, over the line when it comes to agreeing to stand. There are easier ways to make a name for yourself, that’s for sure.

We know it takes a lot to make that decision and to put yourself out there to the public vote, no matter how that vote is carried out. I hope more people from all backgrounds choose to try and make a difference in coming years but we need to change how we treat our politicians if we don’t want to end up with only those candidates with skins thick enough and resilience strong enough to keep going under pressure.

The former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has recently and surprisingly stepped down from her role as a kind and popular PM who stood for no nonsense and got things done. Admitting that she ‘didn’t have any more in the tank’, she has shone a light onto the unseen work of our senior politicians and the stress they are under. She’s exhausted.

I have never heard a politician, never mind one as senior as Jacinda Ardern, say that it’s too much and they are effectively overwhelmed. It was a powerful statement and I hope one that lets us all feel better about stepping back when we need to.

My first reaction to her departure was one of gratitude that she did the job in the first place, followed by respect for her being able to be honest about not wanting to keep on doing it. More of that in the UK last year would have been very welcome.

Then I moved on to thinking about just how much pressure someone must be under to leave what for many who choose to go into politics must be a dream job. Was it always this tough or has it become tougher? I think the answer to both questions is yes.

Not everyone handles responsibility for others easily, it’s a big ask and takes some getting used to. These days everyone is more visible, every comment scrutinised and calls for resignations are too frequent. Whatever happened to learning from our mistakes? If we’re too quick to dismiss those whose behaviour has displeased us, we might find ourselves disappointed with the choices we have in the future. It’s something to bear in mind.

Before we point the finger and demand people step down or retreat when things haven’t gone to plan, or badger them when things are behind schedule, let’s recognise the fact that almost everyone comes into politics to do the right thing and very few leave having managed to achieve it. It’s an endlessly frustrating role filled with optimists.

When we review our electoral system over the coming weeks, we should also consider how we want to be governed and by whom. The more flexible we make the role of deputy, the more varied the applicants for the role will be and the wider variety of skills and opinions we will benefit from. I certainly don’t want to be led by a team of people who never take a break. I want to see healthy role models who have the time and energy to engage with the electorate and live their own lives. It should not be the case that you have to sacrifice as much as Jacinda Ardern to make a difference to others.

Few of us want to take on the role of deputy and we should be grateful to those who do, while also making sure we make the role as accessible as possible in the future.