Democracy was never perfect. Politics was never perfect. But I do recall a time, not too long ago (20 years ago roughly), when at least some of the aspects of political decorum was observed. Today, it is just so kindergarten!
This morning I watched a few clips on the BBC and MSN, of people in public office, in very senior roles, who make massively significant decisions, attending committees that are set up to ask them questions so that there is oversight – which is a very normal process – yet, the ‘whataboutery’, the ‘tittle-tattle’ was truly shocking!
Our politicians do not have to be perfect. Nobody is. But can we just try to find a way to tone down the extremely dangerous rhetoric?
If 1, 10, 20, 100 illegal migrants commit crimes, it doesn’t make ALL illegal migrants criminals and it certainly doesn’t mean anyone should seek to punish nor harm them. Same as it is wrong to hunt down every teenager in the country, because 1, 10, 20 or 100 teenagers commit crimes.
There are several major issues and politicians can of course disagree and take whatever position they wish to take on Brexit, illegal migration, Covid etc., but we MUST find a way to return to a time when questions are asked and answers provided and not the “well, what about what your party did”? type of kindergarten response. The bar has been dragged so low, when you look at what’s going on in several countries , it is difficult to understand if their politicians actually remember that the job is to serve the people (and not just the people who agree with them). We are in awful times!
Is there a way back? Hard to tell.
I believe Robert Jenrick should urgently apologise for what he said this week about the part of Birmingham that he visited. He probably didn’t intend to be horrible, but the reality is that the way the societal ladder and property ladder works, is that when poor people of any demographics move into an area and they form clusters, they get stuck in there. The ones who make it out – be it via education, lottery win or other means – quickly move the hell out, then other poor or poorer ones arrive. It is not about these unfortunate folk refusing to integrate or choosing to isolate. They will be happy to live side by side with Jenrick on his street, if he can offer them a home on his street and jobs closeby etc. I doubt any of these folk prefer to live in a slum. Their circumstances have kept them stuck in there and yes, it may appear to be a cluster of those demographics, but it is hardly by choice! Create jobs, get people working, earning, and they will be eager to move up the society ladder, to areas where they can live side my side with other demographics, mix etc. if they do, some folk will start complaining yet again! That is when you begin to wonder if there is ever going to be an end to the complaining?! And if – as many have been quick to point out to Jenrick – there are other deeper reasons behind the posturing!!???
I am not sure it is possible, but I do hope that our politicians can look within themselves and move a little bit closer to the days where there were some standards to holding public office. Some decorum. Yes, in today’s world, you probably won’t secure votes if you’re not whipping up the population and fanning the popular rhetorics etc….
Knowledge can improve the world we live in 