Patronage was abolished in 1854. Why does it seem to be back now?

April 28, 2021 - A decision not to grant the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Ministerial Interests the autonomy to launch investigations into allegations of misconduct represents a major missed opportunity to strengthen the rules for holding senior politicians to account.

Lord Geidt was today appointed to the role which has been vacant since the resignation of Sir Alex Allan in November last year.

Sir Alex quit after the Prime Minister decided that his Home Secretary had not breached the ministerial code, despite an investigation by Sir Alex concluding that she had.

Transparency International UK has identified 30 potential breaches of parliamentary and ministerial rules in 2020 alone. Many of these were not investigated.

Transparency International UK has previously called for changes to the rules designed to ensure high standards are maintained in public life, including making compliance with the Ministerial Code a legal requirement and granting the Adviser on Ministerial Interests the autonomy to launch independent investigations into potential breaches of the rules. Currently, investigations can only be requested by the Prime Minister. They are then referred to the Independent Advisor on Ministers’ Interests, who then reports back to the PM. It is up to the PM if any action is taken.

www.transparency.org.uk/new-adviser-ministerial-standards-interests-boris-johnson

What a very interesting article on patronage. I hadn’t thought about it in historical terms before as constitutional history hasn’t been on my agenda. Something for me to investigate.

In this country corruption appears to be growing and I find it very disturbing as it is so insidious. All part of the political move to the right, IMO.

Daisymae

I think that currently it's so blatant, basically not only getting away with it but the electorate don't even care. There are no repercussions. As long as I'm alright Jack they can do what the want.

Sad to say, I think this is exemplified by responses to the Johnson popularity thread currently running.

I don't intend this to be a thread about a thread but it seems to me that, despite all the screaming about 'democracy' over the past few years, many people don't really understand what makes 'democracy' democratic. It's not just about who or what gets the most votes on the day, though some seekers after power would like the population to take that very simplistic view and not look any deeper.

I think that currently it's so blatant, basically not only getting away with it but the electorate don't even care. There are no repercussions. As long as I'm alright Jack they can do what the want.

maybe so but even Tory ministers would resign or be sacked when they were found out. Now they don't feel any shame and as you say, flaunt it. It disgusts me, and it appals me that ordinary people think it's ok. It really isn't.

I don't think it ever totally disappeared but they were more subtle about it. This government has taken it to the extreme and flaunts it.

The establishment in the UK have always wielded enormous power, one way or another. If not obviously, certainly behind the scenes. The whole place is set up like that.

We have certainly gone back in time regarding how strong the establishment in this country have now become. They have entrenched their power in cabinet government, the press, the media and big business. The judiciary is ignored and the electorate treated like stupid children.