Council conflict shows flawed ideal
After 30 years of living in Port Elizabeth, I gaze at the current goings-on in the council chamber and despair.
I do not comment on the rights or wrongs of any individual or party, but after believing in democracy all my life I’m coming to the conclusion that it is a deeply flawed ideal that only works for those who gain a sufficiently large majority to dictate policy.
The UK had a Brexit referendum where the majority voted to leave the EU.
Instead of accepting defeat and working with the majority on such a hugely important issue, a significant number of the minority have set out to overturn the majority for their own agenda.
The prime minister’s tiny majority means she is hamstrung in delivering a deal acceptable to all. How long will it be before they have another referendum to see if they should repeat the Brexit referendum, or accept that the government should be allowed to get on with it?
Using that as an example, would it not be better for the combination of parties within the Bay council to also graciously accept defeat and instead of seeking, repetitively, to destroy the present council leadership, work tirelessly to convince the voting public that they can offer a far better solution at the next election?
To engage continuously in conflict politics is hugely energy sapping, a waste of time, costly, and seriously destructive to whatever organisation or council they are supposed to serve.