by Clive Bibby
I wrote this opinion piece on Monday during the turmoil of those political revelations. Given yesterday’s announcement that Kiri Allan will not stand as the Labour Party candidate for East Coast in this year’s general election, some may think that my comments are already out of date. Actually, l disagree.
As a sufferer from genetically inherited mental illness (my detractors will be quick to suggest my problems are all my own work), l feel qualified to comment on the decisions that will be being considered by our MP at this stressful time.
In saying that, l am not suggesting Ms Allan’s actions are forgivable offences — we all have to take responsibility if we make mistakes in public and none more so than politicians, who rely on the confidence of voters in order to be re-elected. But this sad episode does need to be put in context, with our MP being cut enough slack that will enable her to move on in the best interests of us all.
So, just as other MPs have decided that in their case, continuing under the cloud of mental health issues would limit their ability to serve their constituents and resigned, Kiri Allan will be contemplating a return to the back benches and no doubt weighing up whether she can retain the confidence of this electorate, or whether to resign. It will not be an easy decision, whichever one she chooses.
In many ways, a decision to quit politics in these circumstances requires courage, especially when the politicians in question are still capable of retaining their seat — even with a swing against the party they represent at the polls.
However, for what it is worth, my view is that a time comes for most of us (politicians included) when we must reassess our priorities and maybe look at a change in careers that will accommodate our personal shortcomings.
It helps no one, least of all ourselves, if we continue to deny the reality of an environment which is to a large extent beyond our control and continue to pursue objectives that have, for one reason or another, been put beyond our reach.
In those circumstances, life can be cruel — particularly when people of exceptional character make mistakes that lead to decisions we would prefer not to make.
But the good news is that if we are prepared to face our personal demons in a way that allows our better qualities to overcome public awareness of our deficiencies, a pathway to rehabilitation is more than possible. We can all be reborn.
Acceptance of our limitations often opens up opportunities to serve in other ways that can be equally satisfying.
That is true when you look at people who abandoned politics at the peak of their careers and quickly re-established themselves in positions where they have achieved so much more, unburdened by the shackles of party discipline.
Kiri Allan deserves our respect for her privacy at this time and no doubt will respond with a plan to put this sad event behind her and move on.
Let’s hope we are big enough to support any decision she will make and get on with deciding who should take her place if she chooses to call it quits. In many ways she has left big shoes to fill.