by Nicholas RAINER

Solace comes from the most egoistical quarters. What helps boost your morale when you?re in a pickle? Knowing that you?re not alone in your predicament. The Mauritian electorate can now revel in the knowledge that the people of one of the world?s flagship democracies, and the country from which we inherited our revered Westminster system, are experiencing a similar form of disenchantment with the democratic process. Leaders beware?

This warning, reported in yesterday?s edition of ?The Guardian?, comes from the director of the respected Demos think-tank, Tom Bentley. ?The Guardian? quotes a soon-to-be published essay, in which Bentley explains that ?all the main parties are currently obsessed by a ?strong leader myth?, which will do nothing to restore their own legitimacy or revive our political culture. Neither Labour nor the Conservatives have the appetite for an open debate about their future direction among their own members, let alone the country as a whole?.

If Bentley?s wise words haven?t set off the frantic ringing of bells, then you?ve been here long enough to recognize that the ills detailed by the Demos chief are systemic in Mauritius. The best-loser system is a sorry illustration indeed of this state of affairs. Government?s failure to use the potential leverage afforded it by the visit of the Sachs commission to abolish the arcane and discriminatory clause of the first schedule of the Constitution is even more indicative.

Bentley?s trenchant observations for the British political elite seem tailor-made for their Mauritian equivalent. ?Voters have unrealistic expectations on our leaders and their ability to deliver far-reaching change. People inevitably feel disappointed in our politicians, and many react by opting out of the democratic process ? which reduces the legitimacy of democracy for us all.?

These ?unrealistic expectations? are only the result of campaign promises made by politicians in their dogged attempts at getting elected. The Alliance sociale has pledged radical change within the first 100 days of its mandate if brought to power. If it is to be meaningful and lasting, change must be gradual. The ?honeymoon period? is never a time of great reform. Instead, expect blame to be leveled at the outgoing regime for ?its lack of vision?, ?disastrous legacy? and other such catch phrases.

Bentley also asserts that the only way political leaders will ?regain trust is if they start being honest with the electorate about the scale of the problems facing society and the inability of governments to solve them alone?.

This may seem a straightforward enough premise; yet it would involve leaders indulging in a big fat slice of humble pie. Humility, sadly, is not perceived as potential political capital, so don?t hold your breath for the day the prime minister says: ?I?m sorry, but I can?t do this alone. If we are to get through, I need the help of each and every one of you?. Such candidness would at least create a semblance of national unity.

The director of Demos is so convinced by the gravity of the situation that he is considering reorienting the thinktank ?from seeking to influence government policy to finding ways of reconnecting the public with politics?. Downing Street, for one, is listening carefully. Whoever next occupies the Treasury building best do the same.