Smart Trojan horses

It is a notion shared by many that man is a political animal. The history of mankind is marked by countless uprisings, conflicts, battles, struggles, wars and clashes. The quest for power was the underlying factor behind all this.

The quest for power meant the quasi-instinctive drive to establish its dominance over a particular territory. The ability to establish control over areas and dominate meant great stamina, guiding principles and great organisational skills from all those seeking to establish their domain. This also meant intrigue strategies to oust the current reigning power and establish a new order.

The strategies to clinch power became artistry and evolved from direct bloody clashes to articulated crafty stratagems to overcome the opposing power. The history of mankind is jam-packed with events of powers struggling against other powers to dominate and show supremacy over particular territory. Certain historical events have become classic.

Great empires that dominated in various areas of the globe for long stretches and distinguished rulers had become the masters of warfare. Who has never heard of the Phoenicians, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, the Romans, A Tale of Two Cities, Alexander the Great, Augustus Caesar, Napoleon, William the Conqueror, etc.?

A classic stratagem that survived throughout the ages and is still popular with all and sundry is how the Greeks deceived the Trojans with a hollow wooden horse. Just to refresh the memory, a brief recount.

The Greek siege of Troy had lasted ten years. The Greeks devised a new ruse: a giant hollow wooden horse. It was built by Epeius and filled with Greek warriors led by Odysseus. The rest of the Greek army appeared to leave, but actually hid behind Tenedos.

Meanwhile, a Greek spy, Sinon, convinced the Trojans that the horse was a gift, despite the warnings of Laocoon and Cassandra; Helen and Deiphobus even investigated the horse; in the end, the Trojans accepted the gift.

In ancient times it was customary for a defeated general to surrender his horse to the victorious general as a sign of respect. Moreover, it should be noted here that the horse was considered a sacred animal.

The Trojans lavishly celebrated the end of the siege, so that when the Greeks emerged from the horse, the city was in a drunken stupor. The Greek warriors opened the city gates to allow the rest of the army to enter, and the city was pillaged ruthlessly. All the men were killed, and all the women and children were taken into slavery.

Nowadays, our 'battles' have moved away from the actual bloody battlefields to the political arena whereby political powers struggle for power using refined strategies and ploys. Core groups and strategists are entrusted with devising intelligent, sharp stratagems to unbalance the popular support in their favour.

Political mind games are becoming more intricate as the electorate is more informed, owing to a wider multitude of mass media channels. It is more sensible on current issues, more choosy, less gullible and, above all, knows how to assess particular situations and protect their particular interests!

Political gurus and pseudo telekinetic experts overwind the windmills of their minds to mastermind tactics that pay the highest dividends possible.

The local arena is no exception and it includes self-professed sages who seek to flabbergast us with their innovative, unique, smart ventures! They seek to amuse and thrill us by promising everything on earth almost to everyone. Launching of 'major' mega projects with their completion date spanning decades and the final expenditure going far off the original sum!

Nowadays, we do not speak any longer in terms of intelligent or clever but in terms of smart! Dominance by a 'smart' clique who has been playing musical chairs for the past 20 years now might breed feelings of permanence! To re-employ an old stratagem that might work out and pays the desired dividends and save the blushes! There is no alternative to this brainy, sharp clique.

Assuming that the rest are all in a festive mood and inebriated, they can award their 'smart' Trojan horses and then, with an element of surprise, advance with their attacks. Is it a case of history repeating itself, or this time is it a case of those who will be surprised by the backfire of their own strategies?

While frenetically they are concocting their strategies and ploys behind closed doors, employing the latest and smartest technologies, they will soon realise that their coding is infested with Trojan horses! This country is in a desperate need of a complete format. Only the Labour Party can guarantee the eradication all the viruses and Trojan horses that have infested our system!

This country is desperate for a new beginning. This time there is no alternative. For all those who really believe that this country deserves better, the only option is to vote Labour. Only this guarantees a clean sheet.

Mr Galdes is Labour's spokesman for the Environment and National Heritage.