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Ringing in the Democratic Changes!
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by Leo Olivero
he previous administration was severely criticised in many quarters, at times justified, of arrogance, insensitivity and their disconnection from the public. Many believe the election was lost because after 16 years the GSD political bandwagon got somewhat lost, although others thought that the face of local politics also needed a change.
There are those who would disagree with that theory, many believe the GSLP/Liberals meticulously plotted their own election success and not necessarily at the back of the shortcomings mentioned of the previous administration.
Set to Improve Democracy, Politics and Life!
The new government appears to have embarked on a (unique to Gibraltar) ‘Democratic Initiative' - One they say that will not only improve politics on the Rock, but also the democratic life of every citizen. Many believe this was one of the Government's main selling points in clinching their ministerial seats last December.
The message that I got out of the whole election experience, is not one of polls, statistics and numbers... It is one, which politicians must always better understand what is going on in our families and getting close to the daily realities. Politicians have to rediscover the importance of remaining close to the people. I’m happy to remark that there are also encouraging signs of this developing.
It’s not enough to be the head of government... you have to be the head of the government that is close to the people at all times. There’s nothing wrong and its vital that the Chief Minister meets heads of state or talks to politicians in London, Madrid or New York to discuss issues that concern the Rock, but he also needs to show he understands the impact of things like the increased price of electricity, telephones and of the cost of doing the family shopping! Has the latter been the case in recent years?
It is of course vital for Gibraltar that the government focuses on an array of important issues and on the bigger picture out there. But, the picture is also made of small mosaic pieces that are our families who must also fit into the finished piece to complete the finished Gibraltar picture!
Politics and Activity For all Seasons!
The message is clear to politicians. Do not detach yourself from the people! I am afraid to say, although I said it quite a few times over the years that ‘the previous administration disengaged themselves from the electorate’ it was no good attempting to make up for 16 years of people-separation, in the few months left before an election, especially when you are going to be judged much further back than that.
Politics in Gibraltar is an activity for all seasons. No sooner was the election over when the two main political parties were back at it hammer and thongs. It is as if electioneering never stops. In part it reflects a healthy ongoing political debate, so essential to a vibrant democracy. In other parts it makes for sometimes dreary press releases, news bulletins, much idle chatter and, not infrequently, a descent to the pits of personal attacks!
Already we have seen how the newly established monthly ‘Question Time’ sessions in Parliament have been overshadowed by some negative antics by the opposition, who are not doing their cause any favours (except with their own supporters). The pity of it all is that, not only is much time and energy lost through such antics but the impression of many is strengthened that politics is a dreary, dirty game.
There’s nothing wrong with sharp exchanges in the political debate which are usually taken as proof that democracy is alive and kicking. This is not the point being raised here, it is the endless, often meaningless, political rhetoric and, also, to the tactic of bringing up the past all the time!
Although it has been said that all that politics is not all that bad really! Admittedly some politicians make it seem so because they do not appear to respect their own calling. Also this habit on the part of certain politicians to keep the political pot boiling all the time is now becoming increasingly nauseating and, insofar as their own party is concerned, also counter-productive. But the damage is still done, to the detriment of true democracy which requires politicians particularly at ‘Question Time’ who can come up with alternatives and have the ability to present them persuasively, and just as persuasively point out where the other side is unconvincing!
Yet happily it's not all doom-and-gloom, there are signs that politically and democratically Gibraltar is about to reach one of those important corners in societal life, where hopefully politics and democracy will be correctly calculated in equal measure for the benefit of all the electorate.
Important Democratic Changes
The new Government is already ringing-in important democratic changes and in the right places too! Not only with Monthly Parliamentary Question Time. But the Chief Minister also putting himself in front of the TV screens in the ‘Direct Democracy’ sessions to respond to questions from the public… It goes even further with the Proceedings of Parliament in ‘Hansard’ which can now also be heard and read in double-quick-time like never before…The important move to establish the Gibraltar Commission on Democratic and Political Reform which is already at work… A new ‘Citizen’s Charter for responsive government’… And the publishing of Official Statistics on-line on the government website.
All these initiatives by the Government are in my mind major ‘Democratic Improvements.’ There’s no doubt that ‘Democracy in Gibraltar was Stagnating’, of course there is a hell of a lot more to be done, but look at what has been introduced and achieved in only three months! Why is it that over the last 16 years hardly anything has moved forward in this respect?
But instead of looking back I prefer to look ahead because families are more concerned about the present and the future. By this I do not want to minimise the past. Of course we should learn from history. But I am more interested in today’s and tomorrow’s needs and I am sure most families in Gibraltar have the same interest!
Politicians would do well to reflect on Winston Churchill's definition of democracy who on the 11 November 1947 said… “Democracy is not a caucus, obtaining a fixed term of office by promises and then doing what it likes with the people. We hold that there ought to be a constant relationship between the rulers and the people. Government of the people, by the people, for the people, still remains the sovereign definition of democracy."
01-03-12
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