User:Danieltmihalache/sandbox

Take responsibility

When I think about Guernsey, I think about all the generations of people that lived here, about people who have suffered here and about the people who have settled here. I think of the intricate community life, the famous Guernsey cow, the Guernsey sunshine, the sandy beaches and the cliff walks, the rich marine life and peaceful surroundings. What is not to like about Guernsey?

On October 7th, 2020, we, the electorate, have 38 votes to elect deputies to represent us and form a new government. We may vote for one candidate, three, eleven or thirty-eight candidates, but no matter what strategy we decide to use who deserves our vote, is our responsibility to make Guernsey better for all.

I am convinced that anyone can become a leader if given the opportunity in specific circumstances. Leadership is more than being an appointed leader or voted as an elected official. Leadership is about a mindset, a skill that is partly inherited and partly learned.

We need more individuals with leadership skills, more good people with diverse experience and expertise, rather than the same political faces holding onto a political career. Leaders need confidence, courage and commitment.

Confidence cannot be bought, it is earned from knowledge, actions, stamina, failures. Positive results will lead to confidence. Courage, an action that takes into account risk and consequence. To analyze risk, a leader must have information, critical thinking and the ability to make decisions. Commitment comes from core principles. These principles lead to actions towards the vision.

A divided States Assembly doesn’t do good for anyone. Having 38 different manifestos will guarantee broken promises. So, how to make Guernsey better for all? We, the electorate, citizens of Guernsey, have to take responsibility when casting our votes, a responsibility to ourselves and to the community, including for those who didn’t register to vote (which is more than 30%). We have a responsibility to read policies, to analyze and criticize, to break them down one by one and use our critical thinking and decide the future of Guernsey and its politics.

What manifesto stands out? Is it focused, coherent and achievable? Are independents candidates saying the same thing on one policy and the opposite on others? Will this work in the committee meetings? Has it worked well before?

Many will assume that individual identity counts first, before group identity, yet in politics, individuals need to form some kind of group to reach consensus to get the work done. Would you want to have a focused individual to contribute with its knowledge and expertise to make Guernsey better for all? Will it work with only three, or five, eleven or thirty-eight focused individuals? If 38 individuals represent 38 different groups how can work be done efficiently and productive?

Can a group that has a precise manifesto, without promoting a personal agenda or showcase inflated egos, be the solution? Can you think of such a group available in this upcoming election?

The future of our community is at stake. When selecting our representatives we need to ensure that we give each individual our time. We might be presently surprised at what can be achieved, when we take responsibility to vote for what is achievable, coherent, and precise, rather than promises, personal agendas or those who we feel comfortable with.