TOUCHING a little on the UK history, because of the “Winter of Discontent” between 1978–1979, when the UK had a series of massive strikes organised by trade unions, the UK Labour Party was deposed in 1979 by the Conservative Party led by Margaret Thatcher.
Following the defeat, the Labour Party experienced internal
upheaval, which damaged the party’s position among the public.
However, Neil Kinnock, took over as party leader in 1983 and
he immediately initiated the moderation process. Kinnock’s successors as party
leaders, John Smith and Tony Blair, carried on with this process.
In the 1997 general election, “armed” with the “New Labour”
agenda, along with highly professionalised political marketing and a majority
of youthful and female candidates, the Labour Party enjoyed a landslide
victory.
Tony Blair was then appointed prime minister at the age of
43, after the Labour Party being out of power for 18 years.
Some of the reforms promised in their manifesto were
implemented, such as assisting in the formation of an agreement between
Republicans and Unionists in Northern Ireland, modernising the format of “Prime
Minister’s Question Time,” during which the prime minister is required to
answer questions from the opposition in person, holding referendums on the
introduction of the euro currency and electoral reforms.
As a result, Tony Blair was re-elected prime minister again
in 2001.
Because of their opposing ideals and political ideologies,
the UK Labour Party will not join forces with the UK Conservative Party.
Similarly, in the US, Democrats and Republicans will not get along due to
opposing ideological beliefs.
Hence, the “New Labour” experience and approach should serve
as a model for Pakatan to move forward and reform itself. They must realise
that they are up against a formidable opponent that continues to garner
significant support from other stakeholders despite massive public
distrust.
And by signing the MOU with the Government, which UMNO is a
part of, voters are confused and jaded. One cannot be faulted if they think
Pakatan and UMNO are “twin brothers”. They feel duped because of the
MoU.
Young voters are the key
Unfortunately, Pakatan leaders are still unable to see this.
If they continue to remain oblivious to this, then be prepared for more
electoral defeats.
On that note, I wonder why senior Malaysian politicians have
problems retiring gracefully. Some old leaders refuse to quit even after being
told to their face!
A competent leader will know when to step down and let the
next generation to lead the party, like the UK Labour Party did.
Younger leaders are becoming presidents or prime ministers
all around the world. President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister
Alexander De Croo of Belgium, Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland and Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand are just a few examples.
International politics is currently at this paradigm shift
and Malaysia’s younger population is anticipating such a change. The question
is whether the Pakatan can match the expectations of young people who want to
be active in state governance.
For the sake of the coalition’s survival in this country,
its leaders must set aside their personal political interests but whether they
are willing to look at the bigger picture is a million-dollar
question.
But I take comfort that senior politicians are slowly and
surely losing their influence among younger voters. The youngsters hold no
emotional attachment to these leaders and are prepared take up the leadership
mantle.
And this is where political parties like the Malaysian
United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) can come in., provided they do not fall into
the ways of politicians who should have retired 20 years ago but still hanging
on. – April 19, 2022
Source: https://focusmalaysia.my/regain-public-trust-pakatanand-election-win-will-come-naturally-part-2/
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