In Search of Altruism…some post election thoughts

Well, it’s done.

We’ve voted. Now the government is being reshaped and all those in opposition are picking up the pieces.

As a voter, it’s also time for reflection on the campaign. And here is what disappointed me most: politicians of all parties assumed that I was primarily motivated by self-interest – self-interest amounting to little more than concern about how much money I would have.

Promises on tax, on pensions, on my bus pass and winter fuel allowance – they assumed that I would vote for them if they protected my pocket.

They misjudge me.

Many years ago there was an important book entitled ‘The Gift Relationship’; it explored our capacity for altruism as expressed in the donation of blood. Millions of us do that – half an hour of discomfort to benefit someone we will never know.

Comic Relief, Children in Need, donations to support those suffering from earthquakes or more humble challenges – all evidence that we have a capacity for empathy and compassion that our politicians underestimate. As some of you know, I travel widely – and experience has shown me that most people go out of their way to help a stranger in trouble with no thought for recompense.

The world is full of kind, generous people. Millions of them live in the UK – but you’d never know that from reading the party manifestos.

That saddens me.

I shall always vote. But I dream of the day when a candidate overlooks our egocentricities and talks of compassion, and empathy, and understanding of people and places and institutions that are truly in need.

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