Want to be a politician? For starters, spend three years on benefits

Recently, I worked on a graphic novel that told the stories of seven peacemakers from our troubled past. It wasn’t always an easy task.

There were days when all I did was draw the funerals of victims - with those of children being the worst - and at no point did I think any of these terrible events contributed in any way to any cause. If anything, they pushed the possibility of reconciliation and a shared society back with each terrible death.

That said, it was, for me, a valuable opportunity to overview and reflect on some of what had happened to my generation here. But, there was a particular quote from one of the stories that has stuck with me. It came from Laurence McKeown, a surviving hunger striker:

‘Everyone has a story to tell and we are obliged to listen. Sometimes it is difficult to hear as our own version of events gets in the way so we need to actively listen. And I have found that it is often those who have experienced the most hurt who are the most generous. It’s as if those who have been less impacted by the conflict have the luxury to live on with their prejudice.’

Laurence spent 70 days slowly dying from starvation. That’s a shocking statement. For some, Laurence’s death would have been a cause for celebration and, for others, the opportunity, perhaps, for the creation of a new saint. But Laurence survived. His mother intervened when he lost consciousness and saved her son’s life.

But, upon his survival, Laurence did not hold on to bitterness. And he had many reasons to be bitter. Catholic prisoners were often beaten and abused, a process rarely visited upon Protestant inmates. He had spent five years on the ‘blanket protest’, living in his own waste in a cell full of vermin. In spite of this hellish existence, after the hunger strike ended, he began a process of self education and reaching out to his ‘enemies’. He realised the need to listen to the opinions and cultures of others - even those who he would have regarded as mortal foes. He obtained a degree and went on to achieve a doctorate. He began to express his political beliefs in other ways, through the medium of art, writing, film-making and drama (to critical success and acclaim).

But, for me, it was those words in particular - “It’s as if those who have been less impacted by the conflict have the luxury to live on with their prejudice” - that really floored me with its truth. It’s like, in order to understand why someone would starve themselves to death for what they believed in, you may need to listen as to why? Rather than condemn – empathise.

The same is true of anyone who has experienced hard times or poverty. Those people seem to give to others more readily. It may be one of the reasons the Irish are known throughout the world as givers and carers. We know what it is to be down. But prejudice takes many forms - not just sectarian. The horror of unemployment, for instance, which many people may be experiencing for the first time due to the pandemic.

Unemployed is rarely something people choose to be. Many, many people find themselves out of work for a number of reasons: redundancy, illness, disability, age, pregnancy, discrimination, you name it. Unfortunately, many may lose their jobs as a result of Covid 19, which will not be their fault. But, if you are unfortunate enough to be out of work, be prepared to be judged by some.

Be prepared to no longer be able to join in conversations about work, to not be invited to Christmas dos. To be talked down to by people half your age and to watch strange (politically motivated)television programmes vilifying people on benefits. And, once out of work, it can become more difficult to find a job the longer you are on benefits. Plus, there may be a rush for existing opportunities and what is worse , the treatment of those on benefits such as Universal Credit which includes the systematic loss of dignity, pride and confidence, is not something I’d wish on anyone.

Covid is the great leveller. It’s a common enemy. We (and our lives) are all affected by it. So, I do hope that those made unemployed by its lack of discrimination will not be further hurt by ridicule and a different kind of discrimination in the near future as the memory of Covid fades?

So, in light of Laurence’s quote (and for a bit of craic), I’d like to suggest a few changes. Just so we can improve the calibre of, let’s say, our politicians.

So, anyone aspiring to political office should have to spend three years on Universal Credit, during which time it would be mandatory to take a three year degree course in politics and history, at their own expense whilst remaining available for work seven days a week. (Ahh! Every politician reading this has just swallowed their tongues!)

I mean, it’s not a lot to ask, is it? That’s just a fraction of what most decent, competitive jobs demand in terms of qualification, considering the possible rewards of such a position. But, just think of the huge advantage that such an apprenticeship would provide for political candidates. They will have direct experience of all the things they ask others to experience: poverty, lack of opportunity and money, no real dignity nor control over their lives? Real insight! I mean that’s why they are in politics, isn’t it, to make a real difference? Perhaps, then, we wouldn’t have politicians so eager to condemn? They would also have a suitable qualification for the job. They may even listen a bit more. And their direct experience may make them a little more understanding and, perhaps, a little kinder.

I mean, they may not be flavour of the month with everyone but they’d be more respected - because if you can survive three years (or more) on the dole, believe me, you can survive anything.