Do political leaders deserve a break?

OXFORD: As summer winds down and people across the Northern Hemisphere return to work, many political leaders are going on vacation, claiming it helps them recharge and perform better than those who stay at their posts. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, decided to cancel his summer holiday to deal with the riots across the country, underscoring the gravity of the situation and his commitment to restoring order.

Starmer’s decision contrasted sharply with that of former UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who opted to remain on holiday in Greece as the Afghan government – propped up by British personnel and resources – collapsed and the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021. Raab’s choice, which he later regretted, triggered widespread public outrage.

In some countries, going on vacation is virtually taboo for politicians. In India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is almost unthinkable for a minister to take a week or two off. Meanwhile, Chinese leaders, unsurprisingly, tend to vacation in secret.

Those who object to leaders going on vacation argue that they are elected to serve their countries, not themselves. During their tenure, the argument goes, they should always remain on duty, setting an example for others. At the very least, they should be available when a significant crisis erupts. In August 2022, for example, French President Emmanuel Macron faced heavy criticism after being photographed on a jet ski at his vacation home at Fort de Brégançon while the country grappled with unprecedented wildfires.

Leaders are also often criticized for taking extravagant trips while many working people cannot afford a holiday. Lavish holidays can seem unpatriotic, and when public officials, such as US Supreme Court justices, fly on private jets and stay at luxury resorts, paid for by those seeking to influence them, it inevitably reeks of corruption.

Conversely, some argue that leaders should be allowed to spend time with their families – a view shared by several Guardian readers after Starmer cancelled his summer break. Leaders, according to this view, ought to model a healthy work-life balance.

Another argument in favour of leaders taking vacations is that short breaks can improve decision-making and overall performance. A 2023 study, for example, found that holidays “meaningfully improve” the accuracy of equity analysts’ earnings forecasts. According to the study, the benefit was equivalent to gaining 20 additional months of experience.

By contrast, decision fatigue has been shown to cause a noticeable decline in performance. A 2019 study found that as nurses continued working without breaks, their decisions became increasingly conservative and less resource-efficient. Surgeons also benefit from breaks, with one study showing that the intervals between a surgeon’s operations directly affected mortality rates following hip fracture surgery. The researchers suggested that reducing decision fatigue could lead to better treatment choices, ultimately improving health outcomes.

More broadly, taking breaks from work has been shown to boost productivity by enhancing mental and physical health, as well as overall safety. This is why most national and international labour regulations require regular rest periods.

When it comes to political leaders, sound judgement is crucial, given that their countries depend on them to address unexpected crises, absorb new facts and data, assess the implications of policies, and make tough decisions. But the more fatigued a leader is, the more likely they are to fall back on habits, false analogies, and heuristics, undermining their ability to govern effectively.

To be sure, striking the right balance between taking time off and remaining vigilant is no easy feat. In France, for example, ministers are required to vacation within two hours of Paris so they can fulfil their duties if needed. Likewise, as China faced devastating floods last year, President Xi Jinping’s chief of staff and government experts were called to his official holiday residence in Beidaihe, a coastal resort not far from Beijing.

This is not to say that leaders should indulge in extravagant holidays. Instead, they must prioritize restraint over excess and avoid conflicts of interest and undue influence. The last thing voters want to see, especially when asked to tighten their belts, is their elected representatives enjoying lavish, paid-for vacations. That said, there is a strong case for giving leaders time to rest, clear their minds, and recharge, so that they are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

Ngaire Woods is Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2024.

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