Posted by Jason O on Jan 28, 2013 in
Politics |
1. Not make uncosted promises, and regard independent verification as a good thing that aids credibility.
2. Know the difference between holding opponents to account and looking for nonsense to complain about just because the other guys said it.
3. Realise how grating it is to oppose things you supported when on the other side of the aisle, and know that it makes you look like an awful tool to normal people.
4. Not let your subordinates run around making casual promises.
5. Occasionally praise your opponents when they do something good.
6. Recognise that making statements about things like social media should involve knowing something about them.
7. Not be afraid to suggest a new idea whilst admitting that you are not sure yourself whether it is a good idea or not.
8. Have a list of specific policy objectives you want to achieve over your political life as opposed to just “being in politics”.
9. Have a non-political career before, and plans one after.
10. Not intend spending more than twenty years in politics, and has a clear date in mind when you are quitting.
Which Irish politicians do you think have come closest to this?
Not sure anyone has?
Point 8 is very good. Politics should be about enacting policies.