Politicians Need to Know When Its Time to Leave

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Just Thursday, after a mere 44 days in office, Elizabeth Truss has quit as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This makes her the shortest serving Prime Minister in British history.

A lady always knows when it’s time to leave.

The former Prime Minister stepped down as she said she couldn’t deliver the mandate on which she was elected by the Conservative Party. This came after a tumultuous six weeks in office and her approval rating falling to the lowest of any British Prime Minister in decades.

The takeaway for me is that Truss knew when to leave. Many of our politicians do not like to let go of power and clear off the scene when their time is up. 

Although wanting to fight, Truss did not have the “testicular” fortitude of Margaret Thatcher and decided rather than embarrass herself, she would collect her pride and walk away with what dignity she had left. Good move!

We have politicians in this country who do not know when it is time to leave and that is mainly because of their massive egos, or because of the fools that serve as the wind beneath their wings. Those fools love to lap up the gravy that is tossed to them from these types of politicians when power is in their grips. 

I speak of two types – the ones that need to leave the political scene now, and the ones who are played out, lackluster and need not come back. 

Campaign seasons are always of interest to me as I look to see which played-out politician will emerge wanting to have a leading role. There are some who, although out of the frontline, still have lots to offer, but keep their involvement strictly in an advisory capacity or the role of a strategist.

Past politicians have no idea how embarrassing it looks to keep trying to come on a scene that has long passed them, especially if they were lackluster when fully active. If you were lackluster then, what makes you feel you will be any different now? 

What is so enticing about this power that intoxicates them? Many moons ago when I was just a reporter, I remember interviewing then Progressive Liberal Party Member of Parliament, Marvin Pinder who said a politician should seek to bow out after two to three terms in order to duck the temptation of corruption and the intoxication of power. That, too, stayed with me. 

Going further, Kenny Rogers said, “Know when to hold them, when to fold them, when to walk away and when to run.”

Be like Liz Truss. Walk away! Well, that’s how I see it anyway.

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