Corrupt and cynical Britain

It’s very hard to get elected as an independant, however until last year our councilor had served 25 yrs, 10 as a Tory 5 as a Liberal the final 10 independant. So was well known before going it alone.
Personally I think it would be better to have Party Politics out of local government

My district council has been controlled by independents for a few years. There is currently an increase in the number of independent councillors in a number of places. Nevertheless, I agree that local politics is infested by cronyism and, in some cases, corruption. However, the corruption is illegal - what we seem to have at national level is "legal" cronyism and corruption. It's not just individuals who need bringing to account, but the laws themselves.

Local borough level politics is a hotbed of cronyism, and it is nigh on impossible to succeed as an independent. I agree about everyone being tainted with the corruption brush, friend's DH has experienced some very nasty stuff on FB, he is a PC member and the allegations of him being on the take, of taking 'brown envelopes' are frequent. Assuming this is happening at all levels, many decent people with the best of intentions likely decide that politics, local or national, is not for them. It takes a very thick skin.

The other unintended consequence of publicising corruption is making it very difficult for honest politicians who observe the rules to be trusted.

A wealthy landowner has recently made several successful planning applications. One of the local councillors is a friend of his and has been entertained at his home. Because of this the councillor has scrupulously declared an interest in accordance with the code of conduct. He never votes on these planning applivations, nor does he take part in discussions relating to them with other councillors or officials and leaves the room when these planning applications have been considered.

In spite of this he is constantly accused, either directly or by inuendo of being "on the take". This is being whipped up by his political opponents and is likely to be used against him if he stands for re-election.

What kind of councillors do we want? Councillors who have no friends at all? Who would want to elect them?

Yes varian. That concerns me. Corruption and cronyism become so normalised that people shrug their shoulders and say stuff like "they're all the same". It doesn't have to be like that!

Katie59 What you're describing isn't corruption, although local politics needs a good shake-up too and there most certainly is cronyism and more at local level. Maybe people really should be more aware of what's happening under their noses - at all levels.

I strongly agree with this extract from the Guardian article-

"Corruption bores through the system and settles within it so that we don’t quite see it for what it is. So favouritism and fast-tracking when handing out Covid-related contracts is rebranded as a necessity in times of emergency. So huge donations to the Conservative party, revealed in investigations at the weekend, correlate with seats in the House of Lords (with no serious consequences likely because, as the CPS said back in 2007, “direct evidence” of an “agreement” would be needed for any prosecution). Corruption in Britain lives in plain sight; it even follows the rules. "

A good friend of mine became a Tory councilor after about 3 yrs campaigned and voted against a key issue, backing her constituents. A “more suitable” councilor was selected for the next LA elections, shame really, although I didnt agree with all her ideas she did work hard.

I agree that the UK hasn't reached the stage where it's the norm to slip officials a backhander to get anything done, but it's a slippery slope. If a blind eye is turned to blatant cronyism, the moral high ground is lost and those who want to "help" friends and/or are self-interested will push further. If you read the article, you'll see that the point is made that worse corruption in other countries is no justification for what's happening in the UK.

I agree that the political party "machine" supports its own even at candidate selection level.

There are polititians who genuinely want to help the community and not enrich themselves, most don’t last long, they are shouted down by those who do have vested interests of one sort or another. At local level toeing the party line is mandatory if you want to progress, if you dont you will be deselected and very few get elected as independents.

In the UK there is very little open corruption but plenty of helping friends or self interest, you are very unlikely to have to pay to get anything done. That’s a far cry from many countries where nothing gets done without a payoff.

I find it really depressing when reporters go out on vox pop and the interviewees just say that 'they are all the same, they are all lining their pockets'. This is not true, and such an attitude leads to people either not bothering to vote or just continuing to vote their regular way without thinking about it, or even considering whether their default candidate is a decent constituency MP. Even worse is idiotic statements such as 'it would have been worse under Corbyn' or 'better the devil you know than you don't know'. People have a vote, a vote which was not automatic for all not so long ago and we all have a responsibility to use it properly. I hate to say it, but Alastair Campbell was right when he described the electorate as divided into those who give a toss, and those who don't.

Yet another problem for the Tories.

HMRC have submitted a bankruptcy petition against Adam Afriyie, apparently a rising star in the party. HMRC claim that he owes £1.8 million in tax.

If they succeed he will have to stand aside.

Here's Marina Hyde's take on the subject. Amusing as always

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/09/sleaze-storm-boris-johnson-mps-earnings-parliament

When we think of some countries, we just accept that there's corruption. Nobody is surprised when x, y or z happens in A because we just know that's how things are done. The UK is becoming a country like that. The UK is a group of little islands off the coast of a land mass and we've punched above our weight on the world stage because it had a reputation for stability and trustworthiness, but all that is disappearing.

There was probably always some corruption but now it seems to be rife with nepotism and favours for ‘friends’. The other difference is that ‘they’ don’t care if we find out now, what can the little people do?

MerylStreep

I would imagine that these rules that nobody is breaking were drawn up, discussed, signed by all parties? ?

Yes, I believe they were, although John Major was a driving force. That's why it's not the role of Johnson or the Conservatives to decide whether procedures should be changed. It's the responsibility of parliament, not the government. Despite the parliamentary majority, Conservative MPs are already showing they will defy the whip, if attempts are made to change the rules.

I think matters have not been helped by having a P.M. who has few morals and thinks he can get away with anything. Time for him to go together with those who suck up to him.
I was so heartened to hear some of the red wall M.Ps who defied the whip speak out in the debate.

I'm not sure what you mean either eazybee.

I would imagine that these rules that nobody is breaking were drawn up, discussed, signed by all parties? ?

I am sorry that the enquiry into the Standards Committee has collapsed; it needs to be fully examined, because it seems that these highly paid second jobs are not at present illegal

Which Standards Committee are you referring to and how does MPs' second jobs come into it?

I think you will find most people, whatever political persuasion, are shocked by the revelations of the past few days.
I am sorry that the enquiry into the Standards Committee has collapsed; it needs to be fully examined, because it seems that these highly paid second jobs are not at present illegal.

M0nica

Corruption has always been present in government across all parties. It is just a bit more difficult to hide it these days.

Undoubtedly true, but is that really any excuse?

After all the stories of unacceptable behaviour and cronyism of the last few years, the latest really does seem to have taken hold.

Is it because we've all had our lives affected by the pandemic and, for many, prices are rising relative to income? It's galling to see that some are taking the pee so blatantly.

Have the opportunities for corruption become more widely available, especially during the pandemic? This government handing out contracts to ‘friends’ with no experience or skill feels as much like corruption as incompetence.

Corruption has always been present in government across all parties. It is just a bit more difficult to hide it these days.

Geoffrey Cox? Is it really OK to earn £1k per day in the British Virgin Islands, notorious tax haven, defending them from corruption charges brought by U.K. government? Talk about snouts in the trough. Ian Dunkin Donuts is at it as well.

Current MPs will be banking on the hope that we'll have forgotten all this by election time and, unfortunately, many people will have.