Politicians always promise more than they can deliver. Overpromising is a common practice at every level of government; everywhere there is competition for office. The promises reflect what the electorate wants to see and experience as outcomes.
A party that is successful at the polls can be presumed to have won the election because its manifesto and campaign promises are more closely aligned with the wishes of an electorate.
There is planning and method in the promises politicians make when campaigning. Invariably, the messaging and promises are geared to elicit a positive response from the audience or sections of the electorate targeted. Therefore, we can presume that a particular set of strategies or negotiations are being contemplated to make these promises or some part thereof a reality, if and when successful at the polls.
This means that politicians ought to understand the likely difficulties to be encountered when in office. There are a few key issues that resonate with the public. National security, crime, water, healthcare, road maintenance, inflation, and education are the top-of-mind issues.
Policy measures to boost the ease of doing business, ensure export competitiveness, or promote diversification are important but do not have the attractiveness of the bread-and-butter issues that impact the livelihood of the man in the street.
Although business is important to the country’s development, growth and survival, businessmen only account for a small percentage of the vote. But the bread-and-butter issues also affect the business sector. Happy, well-educated citizens are productive and conscientious employees who help make business successful.
If the concerns and interests of the individual citizen are addressed and well managed, everyone will benefit. In creating a stable, secure environment, individuals will be successful.
Confident consumers will engender a positive investment climate. In this regard, private sector interests and individual interests will coincide. The current difficulty is that these bread-and-butter issues are not being well managed. Crime is affecting everyone. The social fabric is getting rougher with each passing day. The bandit element is preying on all sectors of society, including our school students, as highlighted in last week’s news reports. There is no sacred space. Violence in schools, bullying, and gangs shaking down students are not evidence of a conducive, disciplined learning environment. Maladjusted students become maladjusted adults.
Similarly, protracted traffic jams, poorly maintained infrastructure, and continued water supply problems add to the daily grind and frustration that citizens must endure. A proper water supply has been the holy grail of many administrations. “Water for all” remains an elusive goal. While it is a useful election promise, there should be evidence of continuous improvement regardless of which party is in office. Unfortunately, all have flattered to deceive. The latest promise by the current Minister of Public Utilities was greeted with howls of derision and ridicule last week. The continuous charade of the main political parties attacking their respective records while in office is unhelpful.
Last week the Education Minister asked that the difficulties in the school system should not be politicised but promptly referred to the UNC’s problems while in office.
Officeholders must accept responsibility without passing the blame. The quicker government officials own the problems and accept responsibility, the quicker we will solve the issues that bedevil our country.
