Candidates need a wise head on their shoulders (From Warrington Guardian)

Candidates need a wise head on their shoulders

WITH local and European elections looming it may be worth reflecting on the qualities needed by the candidates to govern effectively.

Age is no guarantee of wisdom, but it does make it much more likely. I suggest then that candidates in council elections should be at least 30 and those for the European Parliament at least 40. To be good at anything requires experience, practice and training.

No sensible person would dream of employing an unqualified plumber or carpenter, and similarly politicians should be properly qualified, with university degrees in relevant subjects, such as economics, laws or philosophy. The class of degree should be a second so that we do not have representative who are jerks or layabouts.

The lack of a criminal/civil record is not of course a guarantee that someone is not a criminal, but it does give some indication that a person is virtuous. The electorate is entitled to know.

FLOATING Voter