Regrettably, we live at a time when many people think that Politicians always lie and that they don’t have any principles.
Some of today’s politicians have adopted the principle that if they tell people things are different, that they will simply be different.
They won’t.
As you are here reading How to get Elected, I am hopeful that you are one of a growing number of public minded individuals who want to put aside self-interest, and work towards the goal of creating something better for all, whether that should be working alone, or working with other like-minded people – no matter what background they might come from.
Having rules that you stick to – a personal code if you like, is essential to have in your toolkit, if you are determined to succeed as a local campaigner and good politician, working towards the goal of delivering something better for all.
Ultimately, we all have the ability to make choices and decisions which rise above any form of bias and focus on the best results for all – even when those around us argue that we are being impractical, or suggest that we simply don’t understand how everything works.
Doing what is right can be a very lonely place. But you can always sleep at night.
If you always stick to what you know to be right, remain open to changing your mind when you realise you are wrong, and treat others with respect and courtesy at all times – even when their behaviour has upset you in some way, you will never go far wrong.
Here are the few basic principles I believe all politicians could benefit from adopting, using and ‘living’ in politics. If we all did so, this Country would soon become a very different place!
People before Politics.
Every decision that Politicians make should be focused on the benefit to the majority of people; not the priorities of the few or of the Politicians themselves.
Practicality before Perfection.
We all like the idea of living in a perfect world, but perfection can only ever be an aim in an imperfect world and Politicians must make decisions based upon their practical impact; not just on what they would like to see.
Policies made in isolation lead to isolationist Policies.
Just as one policy may be used as an excuse not for enacting another, new policies should not be created without consideration of their real impact upon or collectively with others.
Politicians now need to review the whole System and not use the size of this task as an excuse for not doing so.
Politics is better when it isn’t Personal.
Politics should never be about personalities and when it is, it is a sure sign that those talking are thinking primarily about themselves.
Fear is no excuse in itself.
Any policy made only with emotion and feeling in mind does not consider the wider picture and the full implications.
Too many decisions have historically been made by Politicians because of a climate of fear.
Over-reaction and under-reaction can be destructive in equal measure and however emotive a subject can be, emotions are personal and do not reflect consideration for what is best for the majority in its strictest and most comprehensive sense.
One size never fits all.
We are all different and policies must recognise and embrace those differences in all ways, but without recourse to any form of discrimination whether that be positive or negative.
Decisions affecting us all similarly should be made by Central Government, whilst decisions based upon Locality should rest in the Locality with Local People and their Political Representatives.
Central Government has as much responsibility to reflect, consider and act upon the decisions made by Local Representatives as it does have the right to ask others to respect the decisions which are made universally for us all.
Lifestyle choices should be for those living that life.
The preferences and actions of individuals should never be questioned or put in doubt so long as they do not compromise the physical safety, security, lifestyle and freedom of choice of others. A crisis of conscience for one, is no excuse in itself to prevent the lifestyle choices of another and Government should never support it as such.
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