Integrity: Is it important?
By Tere Carr, Independent Candidate for Titikaveka

IT’S ELECTION time Cook Islands style. Party politics is at its best promising voters anything they want in return for a vote. We all want a government that is transparent, has integrity and is accountable to all Cook Islanders. After 41 years of self-government, neither party has given us a government we can be proud of so I am exercising a democratic right and standing as an Independent candidate for those who are fed up with party politics.
PRIVATE LIVES
Integrity is described as honesty. Both parties claim to have it yet neither has shown it when opportunity to deliver on promises made before an election have arisen. Integrity is not divorced from ones private life. Individuals seeking public office who have deceived those close to them will have no problem deceiving an electorate who are people at a distance. Seldom however will the integrity of a person in their private life have an effect on how we cast our votes at the polling booth. This explains why it has been said that we deserve the types of leaders we have, as we do not expect them to be honest nor competent in their role as an MP.
Political reform has been high on the agenda since 1997 yet it still only receives a token public airing before an election, like we are seeing today. Commitment to political reform after an election has not been forthcoming because politicians and their parties are more interested in their own personal interests rather than what is in the best interest of the country as a whole.
ETHICS
Another problem we face is that many Cook Islanders vote with the expectation that the government will support them. Good work ethics instilled by our forefathers have been lost and has given way to laziness and a dependency on government for handouts.
Evidence has it that some prefer a $5 an hour government job to a $10 an hour private sector job where one is actually expected to work. As a result, with more people feeding off the public purse, it is no wonder that little money is available to increase funding for better health, education and infrastructure.
Many agree party politics is a dirty game, which is ironic considering there is very little difference between them. It has divided us, turning communities and families against each other. Party leaders know that division amongst the people keeps their position strong. It has been said that when the Pharaoh of Moses’ day wanted to continue slavery, he kept the slaves fighting amongst themselves.
He knew if they united and realised their common goal was freedom, then that would be the end of slavery.
We need leaders to unite us as one people. We need leaders who are judged by the integrity of their character and not those who hide behind a party. We need leaders we can trust to make decisions with a clear conscience that will be in the best national interest and not the MPs own personal interest or that of his committee or party.
INTEREST
Many ask what an Independent candidate can do in parliament. Some forget that party MPs have behaved independently in parliament anyway, hopping from side to side, always looking for the best option for themselves. So what is the difference? An Independent like me will always do what is in the best national interest, which means political reform is high on my agenda.
Reducing MP numbers and voting for Anti Party Hopping Laws are issues that have my full support. The prestige of being an MP is not important to me, and should political reform find me jobless due to the fact that only 3 MPs are required for Rarotonga, then I will have achieved what I set out to do.
Less people feeding off government and less interference from party politics means more money available for important issues like health, education and infrastructure.
Definitely a win-win situation for our people and one we should all be striving for.

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