As is customary over a weekend, I generally reflect on a topic that reflects either a past or ongoing situation in the Solomon Islands and one which needed change, or a change in approach beneficial, in my perspective, for the good of the country.
The national motto of the Solomon Islands is “To lead is to serve.” During my time in the British Army, I served in the Corps of Royal Military Police which had the motto, “Exemplo ducemus,” or in English, “By example we shall lead.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who, today, celebrates 70 yrs on the throne, said in 1947 when just 21 years, “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”
Now at 95 years Her Majesty has repeated her service pledge as she begins the celebration lead-up to her Platinum Jubilee.
Service has been at the heart of Her Majesty’s reign and indeed at the core of my own military, police service and life, and I look increasingly at the political leaders in the Solomon Islands to put service first, especially as the country is facing a challenge, never before seen, with a Covid emergency. I see it vital that MPs should be doing everything possible within their respective electorates on safeguarding livelihoods and supporting all public health measures to ensure speedy government responses to the pandemic.
In terms of livelihoods going forward, the elected leaders can best demonstrate their leadership roles in ensuring developments, from a collective standpoint, and see that funds to which they are entrusted deliver tangible benefits for the people in their electorates in an open and transparent way.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
