But the honour of representing one’s community at any of the three levels of government in our society far outweighs the barbs and criticisms that one must inevitably cop.
Individuals get elected as independent members or as part of a political party. They party they choose is one that represents their beliefs and values. Many are influenced by their parents who pass on their values as part of the nurturing process of raising a child.
It is important for people who are committed to building better communities to be involved in the political process. There is an old saying that we can only have good government if we have a good opposition. This can only happen if people from all segments of our society get involved with the party of their choice.
Within the party system there are those who aspire to political office and those who wish to make a contribution and ‘do their bit’. The competition for pre-selection in a party system is highly competitive. Candidates need exceptional people skills, a good intellect, values in line with the political philosophy of their party, a clear vision, energy, guile, charm, experience, a demonstrated commitment to their community, and most importantly – an abundance of common sense.
These talents and skills can be acquired both within and outside the political process. A successful political party would seek a good balance in this area. The strength of the Labor Party comes from their affiliation with the trade union movement. Representatives hone their skills in the rough and tumble of union ‘politics’ and are well prepared for a role as an elected representative when the opportunity presents itself.
The first tier of government i.e. local councils, is another area where political aspirants acquire skills for advancement. The number of local government councillors sitting in our State and Federal governments today would attest to this.
Today’s communities are diverse and demanding. Federal and State government policies are comprehensive and complex. Individuals entering local government as independent members can be easily overwhelmed with the pressures placed upon them. Those who belong to a political party have access to research, advice and support that is not available to independents.
Checks and balances in any system are important. This would lead to the conclusion that a balance of party representatives and committed independents would be a good result for local governments in NSW.
Tags: Labor, Liberal, Local Government, My Opinion, Politics
