We all have unconscious biases, and often these are fed by our individual experiences, as well as by fears and insecurities. Regular psychological support for any PM will help to ensure that their decisions are not based on their own biases/fears/insecurities. By doing so, the interests of all those they represent may be protected.

Monbiot (2019) says 'in politics, almost everywhere we see what looks like the externalisation of psychic wounds or deficits. Sigmund Freud claimed that “groups take on the personality of the leader”.. For some people, it is easier to command a nation, to send thousands to their deaths in unnecessary wars, to separate children from their families and inflict terrible suffering, than to process their own trauma and pain. What we appear to see in national politics around the world is a playing out in public of deep private distress.' We need to safeguard against this.

The recommendation of psychological support for leaders with significant power has been made by psychologists for years; and implicitly by Freud nearly one hundred years ago. It is time to stop discussing.

The suggestion is made to 'mandate' psychological support in order to reduce stigma felt by MPs when they have elected for such support (Jones 2013).

References

Kashdan, T., (2010). Why We Need Psychologists in Government and the White House. Huffington Post. [online]. 10 March. [Viewed 15 March 2019]. Available from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/curious/201004/we-need-psychologists-in-government-and-the-white-house-inner-circle

Monbiot, G., (2019). Anyone who wants to be prime minister should have a course of therapy first. The Guardian. [online]. 12 June. [Viewed 13 June 2019]. Available from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/12/prime-minister-therapy

Parliament., (2013). Parliament. [Viewed 13 June 2019]. Available from https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/other-committees/members-estimate/news/new-support-announced-for-mps-with-mental-health-problems/

Tickle, L., (2012). Should politicians have their mental health monitored? The Guardian. [online]. 23 January. [Viewed 13 June 2019]. Available from https://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/jan/23/politicians-stress-mental-health-monitor