expatriate

Democratic elections seem to bring out the best and worst in a society, as the current campaign in the UK has shown.

Of course, the right to have an equal voice in the governance and future direction of your country should be a source of pride, something to be celebrated and embraced. Let’s not forget what life would be like without it, as many people around the world have to endure. Be grateful, and exercise that privilege.

Unfortunately, elections also have a flip side.

There is all the negativity: the schoolyard name calling and finger pointing that so often characterises the grab for votes.

There is the veneer politicians put on their campaigns, for fear some small blemish, some sign of human frailty, might wreck their electoral hopes. With that comes a tendency to rewrite history, for politicians to claim that all the decisions they have taken – or would have taken, if they don’t happen to be in government – have improved the country, while their opponents’ ones have been a disaster.

Worse, I think, are the overblown promises for the future. “Vote for me and we will have huge and sustainable economic growth, a wonderful education system, transformed healthcare, no crime, a clean environment, congestion-free roads, great public transport, bounteous pensions …”

Unfortunately, the underlying message each time an election comes around is that the country in question has gone to the dogs, but that a gilded future is on the horizon.

As I read expat forums and articles on emigration, or talk to people considering a move abroad, I see a similar mindset: “My country is on the road to ruin and so I’m getting out to someplace where the sun always shines and all my problems will be solved.”

Instead, we need a balanced, honest approach to the debate – both political and expatriate. The situation isn’t all terrible now, and won’t be perfect when we change government/country.

We should recognise, and strive to appreciate, the good we have at the moment, as well as being open-eyed to what needs changing. And we should have hope for a better future, without pinning it on some quick and easy fix.

For changing political leader, or your country, isn’t the magic answer. One cross on a piece of paper or a new stamp in the passport won’t solve everything. We must bear that responsibility ourselves – to make our lives better, wherever we choose to lead them.