British Prime Minister As a Case Study

The plain-speaking British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown had done what’s expected of all public trustees who are at the helm of affairs.

His apology to the Britons over MPs expenses should not go unnoticed as this would go down well in the annals of history.

He was right to say that MPs should not have lavishly spent taxpayers money on cleaning their moats or swimming pools and paying phantom mortgages.

This is so, because those elected into public offices dare not abuse their powers, neither should they live a flamboyant lifestyle at the expense of others.

Unfortunately in Africa, this is not the case, as often we see and hear incidences where public trustees are incriminated in corruption and related vices.

At a time when we are yet to recover from pinching economic crisis that continue to bedevil the world’s poor, those at the helm of affairs must live up to expectations rather than satisfy their egoistic needs.

We do not expect them to live an extravagant lifestyle, while thousands or millions of others continue to live in abject poverty and deprivation.

We do not expect them to be involved in scandalous conduct, corruption or other social vices that do not augur well with the laid down provisions or ethical standards.

We, however, expect them to conform themselves to the highest standard of discipline and be on the best of behaviour.

“You become responsible, for ever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose”.

“You become responsible, for ever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose”.

Antoine de SAINT-EXOPERY