'Partygate' fines and what it could mean

We all like a party don't we? Not when we are in the middle of a pandemic and there are strict restrictions in place on people's lives. Today's revelations that both the Prime Minister and Chancellor are being fined for breaking the rules that they made is definitely shocking. For those who lost loved ones and were not able to see them before they died, or who had to watch funerals online, or whose lives have been changed forever, this is a terrible piece of news.

When we were trying to follow the rules, those at the top of Government were not. When we were hoping that we didn't spread Covid-19, those at the top of Government were not. When we were confined to our homes unable to see friends for a drink, those at the top of Government were not.

I know people will say the revelations today are not important in the light of the events taking place around the world and particularly the horror we are witnessing in Ukraine. But this is about integrity, trust and honesty and those are crucial things if people are to take public office.

From a crisis communication perspective this could have been so different. There could have been a real apology and an acceptance that things happened that should not. The Prime Minister could have been open about what his involvement was. Trying to hide the reality, cover things over and hope things go away is never going to be the way to approach a crisis.

I don't really care whether the Prime Minister and Chancellor resign. What I do care about is that there needs to be a change in the way politics is delivered in the UK. There needs to be a change in the culture. Those at the top of Government need to have the integrity and honesty that gives them the authority to lead. What we have now is a position where bad behaviour and breaking rules has become acceptable. We will need to wait and see what impact that has on society as a whole.