Political Integrity

We had the expenses scandal. Last weekend a new outrage was uncovered. Sleazy ex-ministers trying to sell their services,  according to one like ‘a cab for hire’. I am not sure that was the right analogy. Now it turns out there are regular junkets all over the world, paid for by foreign governments, in return for lobbying and promotions when back in Westminster. Loads of MPs are mixed up in it. Cries about rules and disclosures fly in all directions.

This is no longer about rules or regulation. It has gone way beyond that, although there will have to be both. It is about the integrity of politics, the honesty of government and the function of parliament. Many voters did not know that ex-ministers earned thousands a day whispering in the ears of colleagues still in office, hoping to favour the interests of whichever corporation that day (the fees are by the day apparently) they have been paid to promote. Neither did they know that their M.Ps, sent by them to Westminster to look after their constituents’ interests, were in fact having a good deal of fun in paradise settings looking after the interests of tourism in India, Cyprus, the Maldives and so on.

These revelations both appall and dismay. How can this be happening in our country? Who has let this utterly preposterous gravy train of self indulgence, corruption, exploitation, self interest and dishonesty take hold of the heart of our democratic structure? Who exactly are these people who con us into voting for them? What are their motives? How can we believe anything they say?

Some answers are needed. We cannot go on like this. Maybe we have focussed too much on sex scandals, which are as old as history and relatively harmless, when we should have been looking where we thought we could place our trust without fear. Well now we know.