Politics, once a calling for those who sought to serve the public, has now become a resting place for those with self-serving interests. Politics has shifted from solving problems to avoiding them, from providing leadership to finger-pointing. A recent story reported by the Winnipeg Sun exposing questionable invoices paid by the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba supports that theory.
Instead of confronting these serious allegations head-on, the responses from political figures addressing the donated funds spent on a car rental from a sex coach were disheartening. One would expect a leadership hopeful like Obby Khan to show concern for transparency and the integrity of the process. Instead, he expressed disappointment to media that a former party member would “attack the party.
” Really? The issue at hand isn’t the criticism from a former member, it’s the misuse of donated funds and the potential breach of trust with the public. Khan should have reassured Manitobans that he supports a thorough, independent investigation into these allegations. He should have emphasized that they were donated funds — money given in good faith — realizing that the integrity of his party is at stake.
But he didn’t and that’s a problem. Moments like these shed light on whether politics are about leadership or maintaining power at all costs. When faced with scandal or controversy, too many politicians close ranks instead of opening the doors to accountability.
Khan’s remar.