I am uneasy about the concentration by the Opposition on the almost certain flouting of their own rules on partying by the Johnson government. After all, the transgression occurred a year ago and there are continuing scandals which need more exposure. Raab's inadequacy at Justice and Patel's draconian measures against incomers come to mind, not to mention the failure to tackle the London laundromat.
On the other hand, ordinary citizens understand unfairness and hypocrisy readily, while the implications of hot money may be lost on them and their opinions may be divided on refugees and on civil rights. The disgust at their party's behaviour clearly had its affect on Conservative voters in Old Bexley and may even be telling in North Shropshire.
There will be no immediate effect on party control at Westminster if the Conservative vote in by-elections continues to fall, even to the extent of losing North Shropshire. However, back-benchers on the government side will be casting anxious eyes on their prospects in the next general election. The pressure for a change of leadership must be intense.
There are reasons beyond mere self-preservation for the Conservative party in Westminster to change direction. What does it say to those people identified by a former Conservative prime minister as "just getting by" as well as those even worse off if they see their elected leaders getting away with lying, taking bribes and disobeying laws imposed for public safety? It is surely significant that recently released figures reveal a steep increase in crime, particularly in violent crime in the London area. The example of people at the top misbehaving with impunity must encourage crime at lower levels of society.
Morality must be restored at the top, and the sooner the better.
* an old Turkish proverb - allegedly
No comments:
Post a Comment