Dangerous slide into political soap opera is such a turn-off
THE auditions took almost four months before the script was finalised and the lead roles cast. Set against a backdrop of a devastating pandemic, there was an expectation among the public that our elected representatives would humbly accept the task. That they would keep their heads down and serve their country respectfully and diligently in our time of need.
They did nothing of the sort. Instead, they treated us to a non-stop soap opera that has verged on pure farce for the last three weeks. And it shows no signs of abating. We’ve had a minister overboard, tantrums from those overlooked for ministerial roles, plus grandiose demands for an aidede-camp and a State car complete with driver.
The issue here is that politics has become personal rather than about public service. When the focus of politics shifts to the individual, de facto it becomes personalised. This is a slippery and dangerous slope. Politics should be about policy. It is solemn and worthy, but necessarily so.
Running a country is a serious business. The slide into personality politics at the expense of substance, does not serve the electorate well.
Our tripartite
Government where ego, parity of esteem and status is high on the agenda, is also a costly venture. It seems we have two separate royal-style ‘courts’ in government, with a third bringing up the rear. The recruitment of an excessive number of advisers to beef up these enclaves, in order to wield influence, is tone deaf and distasteful in equal measure. It is all beginning to resemble a vanity project rather than a lean and focused pandemic Government. Instead of one voice we have a cacophony.
The result is mixed messages and ultimately ineffective messaging. This undignified scramble for profile and media coverage threaten to turn this Government into nothing more than a gallery of ‘influencers’. We need one voice only. That of the serving Taoiseach. Having been locked down at home for some months, the electorate requires innovative and creative solutions that will deliver tangible results. And they are fast running out of patience with political divas.
The role of elected representatives is to govern and to act in the best interests of the people. Politics appears to have a new job spec that involves picking up a substantial salary and being a ‘star’ on the political stage. Enough.
Media has an important role to play here, too.
Far too much coverage of the minutiae of minor political events — many of which are glorified photo opportunities — are dutifully picked up and given high-profile coverage. This is feeding the beast that is the modern-day political celebrity.
We already know that many politicians are vainglorious people. Having a picture on the front page matters more than it should. We need to get back to basics and stop treating the political sphere as a form of entertainment. It is too important for that.
‘We already know that many politicians are vainglorious people’