Having observed George Town’s disillusionment with, and complaints about politics and politicians, it is hard to understand their very high election turnouts. 

If so many of George Town constituents, and perhaps many in other districts, believe that politicians are involved in politics for totally selfish reasons, why do they continue to participate in, and not attempt to change a process they think is against their long-term benefit.

There are several possible answers but the May 2009 elections demonstrate an interesting lesson about political corruption and its acceptance. Our lack of political education has resulted in many seeking immediate gains, or to reward past favours, rather than endorse manifestos, at election time.  This is one reason why door-to-door campaigning can be so effective; promises can be made off the record; especially a few days before the election when voters must finally decide who they will elect as their representatives.

What I have been able to gather is that in 2009, many George Town voters were made promises they would receive personal favours after the elections, and a good number were given money and written instructions bearing the names of some party candidates. This type of interference or ‘assistance’ is an old habit and voters bearing instructions are usually being told by another person how to cast their votes.  In my opinion, the more voters become despondent with politicians, the more they think of self and not of country, making sure they get something before casting their votes.

Many believe that we politicians are all alike; forgetting them as soon as we are elected. This fact is partly illuminated by the close contacts candidates have with electors shortly before elections and their distance after they take office. After taking office it is said that very few answer their phones or return messages out of fear they will be asked to deliver promises of personal help made during the campaign. Some politicians are seen often, only on the church pulpit at funerals, which they use as a means of demonstrating their continued closeness to the community.

One must only observe the drastic increase in entertainment and free food at political functions to recognize that voters have been conditioned to think of what they get directly from political meetings, political parties and individuals rather than what politicians can accomplish for the country. And many of us politicians feel compelled to give turkey, ham, pork or beef at Christmastime and make financial contributions to funerals. 

There is a marl road story from the 1950’s about a certain politician who gave a cow to a grass-root supporter with the instruction to butcher the cow only if he won at the polls; so the people would know that if he did not win they could not prove they voted for him and they would not get the beef.

 Often I have heard voters remark that they do not mind a politician getting something as long as they get something as well. This could mean something as simple as the Government making a decision to pay  10 dollars per hour to clean up the streets or having individuals rather than one big contractor construct affordable housing. Paying back is a necessity if a politician is to remain in the game.

The time may have come for us to have a new breed of politicians, but this will only happen if the political expectations and behaviour of many of our voters change.  Certainly, the institutionalization of Westminster-style political competition and rewards will make corruption more widespread by involving members of our professional classes.

 It may be true that during this last election not all persons that got or were promised favours were approached directly by candidates, but their committee members and other professionals seeking future positions of influence on boards if their party won, did a lot of promising and influencing.  It is not just politicians that are corrupt; many of our voters by making their support dependent on what they or family members can achieve by sitting on boards and having other kind of benefits and influence are also weakening our democracy. 

Frank McField