When it Comes to Ability, “Bougie” is the Clear Winner

Vote for” Bougie” Herzog tomorrow if you care about the Labour Party and its ability to become a viable alternative for government. Labour desperately needs a leader who can bring the party together, galvanise the substantial talent within and then promote a bold approach, comprising policies which address the full range of issues facing Israeli today, not just a narrow few.

With her narrow focus, Shelly Yachimovich makes a formidable parliamentarian, however she has been a mediocre leader at best. As leader of the party, Shelly has somehow managed to create an image of Labour as a niche party concerned with only a narrow range of economic and social issues.

Labour must demand better of its leader.

Bougie is a proven entity. He is arguably the most successful Social Affairs Minister the country has ever had. Bougie has proven himself as a Minister, as an MK and as a member of the Labour party. By his own admission, Bougie is not a “star”. This however should be seen not as a weakness, but as an advantage in these modern days, where fame is the Holy Grail and where image prevails over substance to the detriment of all.

Bougie is a man of substance and a man of integrity, a seasoned politician with an enviable record of achievement. His world view spans across the full spectrum of issues which Israel faces today. He understands those issues and knows how best to approach them. In contrast to the majority of senior politicians in Israel, Bougie will not allow his ego to get in the way. He understands the problems facing the party and more importantly those facing the country are bigger than any one individual.

Bougie understands returning Labour to power is not the job of one man or woman, rather it is about calling upon the considerable talent pool within the party, creating consensus, then leading a winning team, where the party becomes far greater than the sum of its parts and far more credible in the eyes of the people.

In the past, I have strongly urged him and I do so again; as leader, to create a “Shadow Cabinet” to counter the shameful policies of the current administration across the board. This I believe would be very well received by the public and would go a long way to burying the perception of infighting and rampant egos within the party. Only Bougie has the strength of character, credibility and personality to lead such change.

Bougie is respected across the party and indeed across the country. He is able to appeal to a wide range of voters. In stark contrast to Shelly, Bougie is able to heal the rifts within the party and importantly, can win back voters from both the left and the right of the political spectrum. There are many voters who have abandoned Labour due what they perceive as a narrow, divisive and authoritarian leadership. In short, under the current leadership, people no longer believe that Labour has what it takes to govern this country.

Tomorrow’s leadership election is not, and should not be; about personality. It should be about ability, the ability to end the infighting, the ability to appeal to as wide an electorate as possible, the ability to develop policies and an approach which are credible in the eyes of the public, about the ability to put together and lead the best possible team comprising the greatest talent and skill sets within the party, and ultimately about the ability to get Labour back to where it belongs, at the heart of Israeli politics, driving the desperately needed change in social, economic, environmental, diplomatic , and security policies et al, so desperately needed by the people.

When it comes to ability, there is no contest. Bougie wins hands down!

So tomorrow, make the effort, go to the “Kalpi” and vote Bougi.