Party politics creates conflict of interest

Editor:

Thank you for publishing your recent editorial comments pointing out and reminding people that we do not elect a political party or a particular person to lead this country. We elect individual members of parliament who are, each and all, duty bound to work together to serve and protect the interests of all citizens.

Party politics creates a conflict of interest for elected officials that, if not checked, fundamentally undermines their ability to properly carry out those duties in good faith. It also elevates the status and power of the party leader and those that control the internal party processes and purse strings in ways that undermine the foundations of the democratic process.

When the party, not the MP, is calling the shots the real power of government ends up being effectively placed into the hands of a select, largely unelected, group with interests that are often at odds with the best interests of the country and its citizens.

We need to remind those we elect, forcefully and often, that each of them works for all of us and that none of them work for their chosen party apparatus. They are “public” not “party” servants. We need people to represent us that have the strength and courage to stand up for what is right and best for all and not to simply tow the party line out of fear of losing favour or funding. We deserve better than infantile name calling and partisan fealty to unelected powers.

We need to demand better of those we elect and they need to be better than they have shown themselves to be in recent years. We also need, each and every one of us, to look in the mirror and honestly ask ourselves what role we have played in creating andperpetuating the problem. Unless we stop taking the bait and stop blindly following and parroting the divisive, distracting nonsense peddled by all sides while the really important and serious issues and problems get left to fester and grow until they become insurmountable, we will have only ourselves to blame when the wheels come off of our precious and fragile democratic system.

Arthur Bode,

Clearview.

P.S. Congratulations on The Echo’s great success in the 2024 Better Newspaper Competition. The world needs voices like yours now more than ever. Keep up the good work.