BAD BEHAVIOUR IS BAD NEWS

My friends in America may wish to catch up with the shenanigans going on in the UK at present in respect of sleaze and misuse of office.

 

On listening to the Today Program on BBC Radio 4 this morning, 28^th April 2021, I was left with a bad taste. Try as they might, the final few minutes were anything but humorous and larky. To make light of bad behaviour in government may be very British, but it’s also bad news.

 

To leave the last word to Sarah Vine (a.k.a. Mrs. Gove) of the Daily Mail about the Prime Minister’s lodgings, and Philip Collins of the New Statesman about respect for politicians and previous holders of the Prime Ministerial Office is, in my view, quite absurd. It leaves the impression that the BBC is perfectly in accord with such sentiments, which it should not be.

 

Ms Vine

Ms Vine is of the view that the Prime Minister should have lodgings, paid for and maintained by the State, and that they should be of a quality appropriate to the high office; and if she/he wants different coloured curtains or sofa, then she/he should have what they want. Whilst I have no objection to the Prime Minister having lodgings over the shop, paid for and maintained by the state, one must remember that the residence is not the Prime Minister’s permanent residence. It is there for as long as the person holds the office. So, providing an upmarket flat, with all mod cons, is all that the office holder can or should expect. If they want to include their families in the picture, then that expense is entirely their own. 

A good decorator can deal with the décor, with neutral, relaxing and tasteful colours to suit any individual, just as upmarket hotels do for their temporary guests; for that is what the office holder is, a temporary guest, and not there for life. Maintaining the accommodation then is easily dealt with, and does not require in excess of £50,000 each time a new person is elected to office, or indeed a change of furniture. A good sofa is perfectly adequate. Catering for the taste and whims of a temporary occupant is way beyond what the public purse should be required to cover. It does not have to be cheap, nor does it have to be changed with every election. If the flat is not adequate for a family, then the family can live elsewhere in their own home where they can indulge in their own sense of décor. Again, the Prime Minister’s residence is not a permanent home. It goes back to the expenses scandal. Politicians are allowed to claim some expenses for having to live away from home in order to do their job, but cost is definitely to be scrutinised and made public and transparent. Calls on the public purse are not to be taken lightly, given the amounts of money required to actually provide the services the public have a right to expect.

 

Mr Collins

As to Mr. Collins and his request that retired Prime Minister should have more respect, given their service to the country, politicians deserve no more respect that any other citizen. Indeed, our personal duty of care, towards each other, is that we should respect everyone. If the behaviour of an individual calls into question their deserving of respect, then our behaviour towards them may vary from outright condemnation to a mere tsk tsk. Everyone deserves to be treated equally, so I am led to believe. Indeed, that is what politicians are forever telling us is the case. It is one of the principles of our democracy. So, any special case for retired politicians holds no water.

 

At present, the collection of the current politicians in government are hardly deserving of any great respect. The fact that they can support ‘Just Boris’ the way they have and allow him to once again claim ‘The public is not interested, it’s old news, let’s move on, I’m dealing with a pandemic which is more important…”  is completely missing the point of responsible government. Behaviour and integrity matters. It makes no difference what you are dealing with. Deception and misrepresentation, no matter what is being discussed or dealt with, is not acceptable, and certainly not deserving of respect.

 

The pandemic and current economic fallout as a result of its effects, as well as the effects of Brexit, are far too serious to allow a bunch of charlatans and photo opportunists to carry on in this ludicrous manner. If ever the public should have the right to have an election recall, the time is now. The quicker they go, and more responsible adults are elected to office, the better. Why should the public have to wait, and why do those who have clearly failed in their duty, as well as neglecting all codes of conduct going, not just resign, save face and thus redeem themselves and perhaps salvage whatever respect they have left.