The Paphitis Perspective - Is Integrity and Honesty Dead in Politics?
To those of you who follow me, you’ll know that I’m a keen observer and commentator on current affairs - and boy, has there been a lot to observe! From an unfathomable race between a lettuce and a sitting Prime Minister to a divisive honours list where it seems the only requirement to entering the House of Lords is being Johnson’s mate - there’s been a whirlwind of equally bizarre and shocking events in just the past year alone. But there’s been one question on my mind which has been troubling me the most - is integrity and honesty dead in our politics?
Not too long ago, the UK used to be the bedrock of democracy and serious politics and to question that would have been farcical. Yet, in what seems like just the blink of an eye, Mr Johnson and his acolytes have trashed our institutions, democracy and standing in the world.
You’d have thought that when Johnson was forced from office by the resignation of countless government ministers, he’d have demonstrated some contrition and bowed out as gracefully as he could - granted, this may have been wishful thinking on my part. People like democracy when they're in power, but once they’re out of it and find that they can’t bend it to their will, it’s suddenly out of fashion.
Being able to trust that what you’re being told is the truth is intrinsic to the functioning of our democracy, and Johnson’s willful misleading of Parliament was a direct assault on this. But, the thing that’s even more abhorrent and even more damaging is Johnson and his allies' vitriolic attacks on the Conservative-dominated privileges committee - a lawful parliamentary instrument with the sole purpose of upholding what little integrity and accountability we have left in our politics.
Parliament should be all about democracy, and our elected politicians should understand this at the very least. Trust the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg - a man who is more at home in an age where only the entitled and privileged can have control - to demonstrate his complete lack of moral fibre and disregard for democratic processes by willfully attacking the committee; demonstrating once again that democracy is not on his or his allies agenda…just a thirst for power and headlines - come hell or high water!
It comes as no surprise to anyone that Johnson swerved the Partygate inquiry vote - once again demonstrating his cowardly tendencies and inability to take responsibility. But I’ve never in my life seen so many cowards as I did when I witnessed 225 Conservative MPs, swerve the one vote that could have actually begun to restore some of that lost credibility and integrity their party and our democracy so desperately need.
The Prime Minister - who I do believe is a good man - not only made an error of judgement in washing his hands of the vote, but he also failed a key test of leadership at a critical juncture in his premiership - having the resolve to make the tough decisions.
How they’ve acted, especially Johnson, is indefensible and reckless - yet another demonstration of the gutter politics and fake news we’ve sadly become accustomed to. It’s got to the point where from the outside it seems as if our politicians only want to serve as long as they get a gong, or if there’s something else in it for them. If they don’t get their way, they proceed to wreak havoc and throw their toys out of the pram.
I know, and have met, some politicians who have the power and gumption to stand up for integrity and honesty. It's easy to tarnish them all with the same brush, so it is more important than ever to wear your integrity on your sleeve and show us all what politics could be like again - and credit where credit is due, people like Mrs Mordaunt and the other 117 Conservative MPs who backed the report demonstrated that not all hope is lost.
So, if there’s anyone in Parliament listening and you’ve taken offence to my comments, good - that shows you care. I implore you to look at your colleagues' behaviour and hold them responsible for their actions. Elections are once every five years - that’s a bloody long time, so in between, it’s up to you to protect our institutions and democracy by holding your colleagues to account.
Sometimes you’ve got to stand up for the things you believe in - integrity, accountability and honour - because if you don’t, who will?