The politicians should stop taking the voters for mugs

 

After the liberating democratic exercise of a general election, in which there was significant and healthy public engagement, it's unseemly to witness the embarrassing political charade that's ongoing at present.

To those not tuned in to the nuances of politics, it appears as if no-one wants to go into Government, and if they do, it's only with great reluctance and a heavy heart.

Of course, the reality is that all of this is part of a political mating ritual that's not entirely dissimilar to the logistics of playground romances in schoolyards.

Like shy lovesick children, the initial tactic is to disavow any interest in the putative partner. This 'rejection' is followed up with a blushing embarrassment and furtive glances across the room, or political chamber.

Eventually, if the mood music is right, the relationship develops.

Politicians should get real.

We know not to believe a word that's being said at present.

We know that this is all part of an elaborate dance.

We know that many of the political class seem to think our views are now no longer pertinent.

It's almost as if they have now decided that once the election is over, the public doesn't matter anymore.

'You've had your say, now back off and leave it to us, the real experts', they could conceivably be saying.

Yes, elections can be difficult to interpret. And the mandate given to different parties can vary depending on the observer's perspective.

But what is clear is that the electorate said it did not wish to hand significant power to any one political party.

That has been increasingly the view of the Irish electorate in recent elections – and whilst the Confidence and Supply arrangement represented some form of recognition of this fact – the penny still does not appear to have fully dropped with our political establishment.

The election result isn't a sort of numerical accident or inconvenient difficulty to be overcome – it's the way the electorate wanted it.

Now get on, start talking, forget the jostling for position, and agree a programme for Government.