DOUR MARR

Barack Obama's US presidential victory was remarkable on a number of counts. Not least was how his campaign captured the imagination of voters and motivated them to turn out in almost unprecedented numbers.

The Obama campaign has reinforced the importance of principled leadership in politics and public life. He communicated a vision and values that struck a chord with many Americans. It was most resonant among black and young voters who, in the past, may have felt detached from the political process. Given the scale of the issues facing him, the election may have been the easiest part of Mr Obama's task.

For the time being, the prospect of an Obama presidency has provided many Americans with a sense of anticipation and hope. With luck, events in the US will have a backwash effect here in Scotland. Mounting disillusion with politics and public life is not unconnected to a scarcity of principled leadership. Pragmatism, not principle, is the order of the day. Consequently, it is difficult to discern significant differences between the policies and conduct of the parties and their leaders. Mr Obama was able to convince enough of the electorate that his leadership will be distinctive and deliver change and improvement. For now, American political life has been revitalised. The Obama campaign provided fresh hope for previously marginalised sections of the American population. He has embodied the principle that effective leaders create a sense of inclusion among their stakeholders.

By contrast, there is a sense of exclusivity about political and public life in this country. Politicians have become far too close to the movers and shakers in the business world. The cosy proximity contributed to the lack of critical objectivity prior to the financial meltdown. The unhealthy relationship between politics and business has created a sense of exclusion among those who do not belong to the elite. It was the eighteenth-century satirist Henry Fielding who defined "nobody" as being "all the people of Britain except 1200". The number may have changed but the principle remains. Allegedly bitter political rivals dining on a billionaire's yacht can only increase the wider sense of detachment and disillusion.

The American writer Jim Collins studied the leadership qualities of chief executives of companies that had gone from "good to great". Surprisingly, he found the most effective leaders were not necessarily high- profile individuals who courted headlines and celebrity. They were more likely to be self-effacing, quiet and even shy. As Collins concluded, they were "more like Lincoln and Socrates than Patton or Caesar". The words self-effacing and politician do not often appear in the same sentence. It is not necessarily a sign of weakness to admit to being wrong and it might even take the steam out of the Paxman interview style. In short, people are more trusting of a principled leader who is willing to take less credit when things go right and accept more responsibility when things go wrong. The outbreak of humility at the First Minister's post-Glenrothes press conference was a promising sign.

Self-criticism and humility do not come naturally to many politicians. They tend to live in a bubble and can become preoccupied with their self-importance. As a former headteacher, I remember vividly a minister in the then Scottish Executive arriving the obligatory half-hour late, ignoring the pupils waiting to greet him and breathlessly asking: "Where's the press?" On another occasion, an MP sitting down with a group of intelligent and articulate pupils was interested only in describing his busy life and achievements. He failed to seek a single opinion from the young people. "I" dominated his monologue. After he'd gone one sixth-former observed: "It'll be world peace next week then."

Inspirational leaders tend to have moral authority based on values and principles that shape their actions. Currently, the moral authority of many in public life has been undermined by their reluctance to be accountable. Resignation has gone out of fashion and determination to cling to office has placed position above principle. This has been taken to new heights by Aberdeen city council's embattled ruling coalition. In essence, its defence has been "a big boy did it and ran away". The refusal to be accountable and do the decent thing has undermined its individual and collective credibility. More seriously, it has undermined any lingering confidence in local politics.

American voters have demonstrated that this might indeed be a good time for a novice. In this country, David Cameron may be best placed to take advantage of the Obama effect. If so, he will do well to remember the words of his illustrious predecessor, Sir Robert Peel, that "opposition is a matter of principle, not party". Mr Obama's campaign serves as a reminder to those in public life of what we expect of our leaders. Dour Marr is a writer and educationist.

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