From our 8th May edition
By the time you read this, the decision will have been made and I will be so relieved!
I am not a party political animal. The television debates, the constant reporting across the media of what this, that or the next person is saying about the others, the bucket load of leaflets coming through the door, I find more irritating than informative.
I would never dream of not voting – my grandfather worked too hard to get women the vote for me to do that, but these days it seems politics is about getting elected full stop.
To me, those looking for votes say what they think people want to hear in order to get us to put our cross against their name, then once inside the door of Westminster or Holyrood, the practicalities of trying to deliver on the promises they have made, seems to be overwhelming.
At least that’s what I like to think in my more generous moments. I confess, however, that at times the more cynical part of me is likely to think otherwise.
The decision having been made, however, we now have to live with it and live too, with the consequences. Whatever they may be.
I am still naïve enough to want to believe that whoever enters the political world, does it because they want to make a difference for the better for the nation and for the world in which we live.
I might not and cannot agree with some of the policies and ideas some candidates have put forward and would want, strongly, to resist them but I have to respect that people have different opinions and I would hope that they would do the same and respect my views.
And I suppose that’s what I really want for the next term of government, however long or short it may be. I want people to govern respecting one another.
That seems to be something that’s lacking in virtually every area of life these days. Respect. It’s why on buses and in hospitals, notices are now displayed about not tolerating the abuse of staff. It’s why the natural world is in the pickle it’s in – we don’t live respecting it.
Pupils, and probably more especially parents of pupils, no longer give teachers respect. Drivers don’t respect each other on the road. Even in the church, ministers can boss congregations and congregations can be so intolerant of others who see things in a different way.
Just wait for "that" debate in a couple of weeks’ time at the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly. I hope I will be proved wrong but…
Human nature seems to be such that our default position is to think we’re right and to hang with everyone else and I suppose if that’s true then we shouldn’t really be surprised when those who represent us in Parliament are no different.
But I’m also a great believer in the old adage that from tiny drops of rain great oceans are formed. If you and I were to commit to trying to live more respectfully then it might lead to others trying to as well until everyone, throughout the whole world, is able to live in a great pool of respect.
It’s got to be worth a try! –
Susan Brown.
