Put People First: Why Politics Must Move Beyond Polls

Why Politics Should Focus on People and Not Polls

One thing that always gets to me whenever I am interviewed or whenever political discussion comes up is how quickly the conversation shifts to a single question. People ask whether something will win the next election. Almost no one stops to ask the question that is far more important. Will it actually help people. Will it solve the everyday problems that so many are struggling with.

Most people at home do not see politics through the lens of polling. They are not tracking who is up or who is down this week. They are not glued to the next election cycle. The only people who seem to obsess over polls are political leaders themselves. And these numbers will shift long before election day which makes them almost irrelevant to the real issues affecting our communities right now.

The Cycle of Shallow Politics

It is no surprise that we keep hearing the same recycled answers and the same tired talking points. People feel that politicians are all the same and honestly I cannot blame them. Sometimes I wonder if parts of the media prefer it this way. If politicians are not trusted then the media gets to shape the narrative and in turn shape what people think.

Here is what is interesting. No one ever believes that they themselves have been influenced. They might say that someone else is affected by the media but never admit it could be them. Meanwhile many of us read the same newspaper every single day. We take in the same worldview and the same opinion pieces. It is not always manipulation but it is certainly a narrow window into a far bigger world.

And let us be honest. Most of us do not read past the headline anymore. I catch myself doing it. I read the headline then jump straight to the comments then go back to the article itself. The comments rarely match the content. If people actually read beyond the title they might realise just how off base some reactions are.

Why Headlines Make Us Angry

Headlines are designed to provoke a reaction. If they did not provoke you they would not get clicks shares or outrage. Anger is the easiest emotion to stir. It is quick it is reactive and it keeps people scrolling.

Kindness or compassion take more effort. You need to sit with something for more than thirty seconds to feel those emotions. In an online world built on speed anger almost always wins.

If I post something positive or hopeful it might get a handful of likes. If I post something even slightly controversial such as something about the state of parking in Truro it suddenly explodes with comments and engagement. That is what keeps the platforms running. And it feeds a cycle of negativity where outrage wins and genuine solutions are drowned out.

What We Should Focus On

We need to shift our attention away from whatever headline happens to be shouting for attention today. If we shape policy based on whatever Cornwall Live publishes each morning then we will spend our time reacting instead of making progress that actually helps the community.

Inside our council we are having real conversations.
How many homes can we build. Where should they go. Will they genuinely benefit the people of Cornwall.
These are the things that matter. These are the questions that can change lives.

What We Can Do Differently

If we want politics to focus on people rather than polls then every one of us has a role to play. Here are a few simple changes we can all make.

Look at a wider range of media

Do not rely on one newspaper or one website. If you criticise a media outlet that you have never actually read then take ten minutes and read it. Widen your perspective and your understanding.

Read the entire article

The truth is often tucked away at the bottom because that is where journalists place the careful language that keeps them out of legal trouble. The spin sits at the top. The facts usually appear later.

Ask better questions

I would much rather be asked what I am doing for you and what I am doing for Cornwall. Instead I am constantly asked about polling and political positioning when neither has much to do with the work that actually improves lives.

If we can shift the conversation toward real people and real issues then politics can finally start doing what it is supposed to do. It can make life better for the communities we care about.