British system of government still has signs of life

It’s good to know that “accountability” and “openness” are still in evidence in British government. I had feared that 7 years of corruption and madness had killed such values off. But yesterday the House of Commons’ Committee on Privileges issued a short report entitled simply “Issues to be raised by Parliamentary Ctte on Privileges with Mr Johnson” which threatens to blow Boris Johnson apart. This represents the line of questioning the committee will pursue when interviewing BJ about the apparent lies he told the House of Commons on numerous occasions about what has become known as the “Partygate Affair” when both he, the present Prime Minister and others were fined by the police for breaching the strict laws then in place throughout the land. Lying to Parliament has been one of the most heinous crimes any member is capable of!!

And, to add fuel to the fire, the newspapers have been having a field day this week with the treasure trove of messages the previous Minister of Health, Matt Hancock, is revealed to have sent when he was photographed in a clinch with his aide. They demonstrate a culture of utter contempt by senior Conservatives for the law of the land which was preventing the rest of society from attending funerals and weddings. In the meantime, a Committee of Inquiry into Covid 19 was finally announced in December 2021 with the appointment of a Chairperson - although the terms of reference were not complete until June 2022. The inquiry is structured into phases or “modules”

Also in today’s newspapers a stinging attack by the UK’ “Food Tsar” (I never knew there was one) on the government – and supermarkets for failing to take seriously a significant 290 page report he sent to them in 2021 – the National Food Strategy. With three Prime Ministers in office during 2022, the government did perhaps have other things on its mind – but food and energy have certainly been up there on the minds of the great unwashed public. But all credit to Michael Gove, the Minister for Levelling-up, for commissioning the report – even if he and his Prime Minister may now be regretting the transparency and criticisms it has brought.

And all credit too to the Institute for Government – one of the better (and genuinely independent) Thinktanks which recently set up a feature called Ministers Reflect which, so far, has allowed people in previous positions of power to reflect honestly on their experience of government. I’ve chosen one Conservative and one Labour Minister interviews. What comes across is their total unpreparedness for office. The Institute does frequent podcasts – for example this most recent – although I did feel that a zoom discussion in which I took part on the Centre of Government was overly complacent and London-based.

I know that we have all become so cynical about politicians but it is good to know that some of the newer values of transparency, accountability and openness are apparently alive and kicking in some parts of the system