If there is one thing you are guaranteed to hear in the political arena, it is promises left, right and centre. When the general election is around the corner, it is a busy season for those aspiring to be in Parliament. Things that have not been attended to for years are now receiving attention: roads, clogged drains, water problems. Then suddenly a crew is on the job.

In the communities you can hear regularly on the loudspeaker, “Good morning, people. Your representative is now in your area. You can come out and meet (Mr John Doe) who is willing to hear all your concerns.”

Fast forward to after the election and your representative is now sitting in Parliament, but the cry of many is that since John Doe was voted into office you have not seen him.

This is normal in TT, and I am sick and tired of hearing complaints about politicians disappearing after being elected into office. They are now more concerned about making a fashion statement in the Red House than genuinely serving the people, which they promised to do. Those citizens who voted them into office are now treated with scant courtesy, having to beg and protest for basic things.

Max De Pree, a businessman and writer, said, “The first responsibility of a leader (politician) is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” That is what we need more of our politicians to understand – that they are servants of the people, paid by the people to serve.

TT needs politicians who are sincere, have a vision for the people and are willing to serve their constituents. True leadership is not about fulfilling personal ambitions, but about paving the way for those following to have a better life. This hypocrisy of some of our politicians must stop.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH