There has been a veritable kerfuffle lately about politicians, especially David Cameron, being on vacation during recent crises. The downgrading of the US credit rating, riots in London and other cities, Libya getting interesting again – the list goes on. Almost universally, from tabloid to broadsheet and everything in between, there has been condemnation of the idea that politicians take some time off. I disagree with that whole notion that it is A Bad Thing, and there are a number of reasons why:
First, there is no chance that politicians are actually “switched off” when they are holidaying. There are, of course, computers, phones, and the internet. Additionally, there is an army of Civil Service staff, political staff, and other ministers who are able to monitor what is going on. It’s not like the entire government machine is suddenly sunning itself, simultaneously, in the South of France.
Second, time off is therapeutic and essential for mental well-being. Even for a low-stress job, a week or two off here and there is restorative and makes one a better employee, more able to work and concentrate. When someone is in a high-stress job (like, say, running a country), I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that a little time away is even more important.
Third, it’s just “normal” to take a vacation. There have been politicians who can’t seem to take any time off (I’m looking at you, Gordon Brown), and when there is that kind of inability to get away, it’s a little worrying about personal values. The “workaholic” tendency is great for someone with a high power job (after all, how do you think they got to where they are?), but when it goes too far, and lasts too long, the risk of burn-out becomes very real.
Should David Cameron have been on a summer vacation? Absolutely. Should he have come back when the riots broke out? Debatable, but I think yes. In a crisis situation, a politician needs to look in control, to reassure the nation. Being in Italy does not exude control, and refusing to come back makes him look out of touch. Finally, should he have come back from vacation for the recent developments in Libya? I don’t think so. What is happening is out of his control, and most people don’t really care what his happening in a country that, until recently, most couldn’t pick out on a map.
Holiday time is tricky for politicians. I think almost everyone understands why it’s important for them to get away, but with the media running stories like the one below, it can get more and more difficult for them to take the time they need to recharge their batteries. I don’t think it’s David Cameron who is the “plonker.”
