Politicians and would-be politicians are under the microscope at the moment. Their every move and comment could make or break their futures – at least for the next four years.
Under pressure to explain their own failings – why their brand of politics appears to have so strongly turned off the electorate that many can no longer be bothered to vote – it would be a cheap and easy shot to blame the media (that is, the Press) for negativity.
Ignoring how we celebrate community on a daily basis. The achievements of young people, those doing things for good causes, sporting success, the dozens of local people nominated for the Pride of Guernsey Awards.
But of course the newspaper, and the media more generally, will want to hold our politicians, who we pay, and who decide how to spend our money, to account. Local media has been described as ‘the backbone of democracy’ – maybe that's a useful support for some.
A good politician would be respectful of that, and ready to accept the challenge. Instead we get the Trumpian behaviour demonstrated at a hustings meeting this week, which was as depressing as it was unsurprising.
Such narratives have been chuntered for too long, predominantly from the floundering who appear to have nothing better to offer.
If our representatives want to see unrestricted negativity, do feel free to enjoy Facebook – unless it’s self-curated.
And if they aren’t prepared to embrace the scrutiny, along with the power and responsibility, then they’re in the wrong job.
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