COMING OVER THE POND

John Boydell - Friday, 2 June 2023

As always, I’m not on anybody’s “side” politically, just trying to champion common sense.

Over time many trends have arrived on these shores from America. Some have caught on more than others. Some have been desirable, others not. Falling into the latter category is the normalization of [at the being charitable end] eccentric and [at the other end] corrupt behaviour in governance of the country. There was an era when bad behaviour by our politicians led to their swift demise, where there’d be a quick resignation or a word in the ear leading to the same result or, if necessary, a speedy dismissal. This was normal; this was how it was. Today, it’s different: trotted out are lines effectively saying poor behaviour is not that important or because an apology has been made, that should suffice. Arguing the toss or creating implausible excuses to avoid responsibility has become common. One (of many) of Boris Johnson’s lines is, effectively, I didn’t knowingly mislead Parliament because: I didn’t attend a party; well I was there but I didn’t realise it was a party; and nobody advised me that it was a party and I was relying on advice; and all this is just a witch-hunt, anyway. This risible nonsense and numerous examples from Johnson and others not only gains traction with some but has cheerleaders in Parliament and some sections of the press. It demeans politics and corrodes vital public trust. Doing the “decent thing” has long gone, it appears, and governance is the worse for it.

I want you to think about this for a moment (putting policy considerations aside, which is a different debate): Donald Trump came to office as President of the United States with a documented history of business bankruptcies (where lots of “little guys” never got paid), constant litigation and a notably misogynistic attitude towards women. [It’s okay to] “Grab ‘em by the pussy” is indicative of that attitude. Since then, his place in an insurrection to defy democracy is under investigation, paying off a porn star and a Playboy model to suppress adverse publicity prior to an election, falsifying records in his company to avoid tax, retaining classified documents, assaulting women and defaming them, on record inviting the state of Georgia to “find” votes for him, countless proven lies and numerous other matters have all been in play. And yet, this man looks likely to receive the Republican party’s nomination to run again for President and may gain that office again. On any reasonable analysis, Trump used the politics of division and is doing it again. He speaks openly of being able to deploy “vengeance” if he becomes President. But he has open supporters, active apologists and those sitting on their hands in the Republican party. His legacy [so far]? Division, tribalism in politics and wider society and a significant cohort of, in common parlance, “nutters” in both the House and the Senate. Johnson was and is often described as “Trump-lite”. He shares the same disregard for the truth and for norms of behaviour, with similarly little apparent grip on policy-making and detail. Johnson’s legacy? Division, increased tribalism in politics and wider society and a cohort of “head-bangers” in the Conservative party, exercising considerable influence.

The scary thing is that what not so long ago would have been unthinkable has become reality and, in the eyes of many, a new normal. It’s not “normal”: those that seek high office should feel, mean and implement the highest standards of public service towards the wellbeing of others, not self-service for other purposes. Does all this matter, for after all we’re a democracy and the good sense of the people will blunt the damage that extremes of politics might seek to bring? It does matter, for it can have real consequences for the lives of citizens. The vast majority of leave voters in the Brexit debate were well-intentioned citizens thinking the lot of them and their families would improve. Logical analysis and the views of almost all competent experts was that citizens would be poorer, with higher prices, less choice and?would have fewer options in what they could do with their lives. All this has, with passing years and hindsight, proved to be reality. Facts and analysis were dismissed with grand claims made about the benefits of Brexit, particularly amplified by those that might reasonably be said to have fallen into the “head-banger” category, wielding an imbalance of influence. Emotions trumped logic. I talk in the context of the wealth of our citizens and their ability to live and work as they choose. I recognise, for some, the notion of sovereignty is primary and all other consequences are secondary. Tribalism in the Tory party led to the referendum that led to real changes in people’s lives.

In the States, the “nutters” of left and right threatened, this week, to block the raising of the debt ceiling. This would have crashed the US economy, with massive fall-out for the rest of the world. And yet they were so deeply entrenched in tribal positions that they were prepared to do it: Russian roulette, with bullets in all six chambers of the gun. While each party did not have enough on their own to sides to carry the day, fortunately (and rarely) there were enough members prepared to look at facts and analysis to allow a bi-partisan step back from the cliff edge (although the Senate still has to ratify the position).

While far from perfect, democracy is precious. It’s worth defending but it’s been dumbed down over recent years. Tribal emotion has so often replaced logic. Politics majoring in emotion will not improve the lives of citizens, but politics of genuine public service, majoring in facts and reasoned analysis can. “They’re all the same” is a dangerous thing to hear. “What’s the point in voting?” is more dangerous still, but it’s how many citizens feel. So, politicians, it’s time to up your game. You don’t need to ditch emotion but it’s not enough: give us facts, analysis and logic, so you don’t do us harm and maybe do us good.

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