Electoral maturity

I was very surprised to read the results for the so-called survey that was carried out last week for Xarabank. When you consider the alternatives this country is offered as far as political groupings and when one has experienced just how far we have come in 20 years since these islands were gripped by a serious crisis of democracy, I feel that we are being very egocentric and inward looking in our judgments.

The culture of treating political beliefs and tendencies as some tool to get what we want for ourselves has been the norm for years and this was built on our traditional tendency of fundamentalist parochialism that is so evident during local festas and sporting events. Like little spoilt children we threaten to use our vote against that party which has not given us what we want for ourselves...never mind our national quality of life, our peace of mind and our standard of living... but if "our little Joe does not have a job, it is because of the government" or if some people want to go out and massacre every living thing that flies it is the fault of the government if they are restrained in their "hobby".

I would have thought that, after the experience this country went through in the 1970s and early 1980s, we would have matured in our thinking and judgment of politics. I would like to see a time when we could have a Parliament made up of government and opposition (or oppositions) who could discuss and decide on the future of these islands together, so much so, that when it came to election time it would really be that difficult to decide between the two.

Perhaps yes, the solution may lie in the third or even the fourth party but one thing is for sure: I do not believe that that time has yet come and it would be a mistake for any person to put their own ego before the good of their country by using their vote as some tool for bargaining!