[machina_ex_deus]

Their role is neither representing nor shaping interests.

Their role is managing while being accountable. And doing said managing by the least amount of coercion and the maximal amount of convincing.

There's no such thing as "represent". It's a political dead end meant to draw votes and political power to those who are presented as "representing" the current social division magnified by the media, whether it's race, religion, or the usual liberal conservative division.

You're supposed to hold them accountable even and especially if it goes against your "representation" or interests. But so long as the majority are playing the "representation" politics meta game, there's no hope for accountability.