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The Review Online
The Decline of Political Respect
12th May 2009
As we live in an era of election-driven speech and adversarial debates, there is an increasing sense that the respect we may once have held for the leaders of our country is shrinking. We are encouraged to be politically aware and involved in the democratic process, but why bother when the headlines of MPs are how much they’re spending on a new kitchen, or the latest thrashing an MP has received in the Commons?
Prime Minister’s Questions has been turned into a ridiculous hour of jeering and crude attacks on individual politicians, especially the Prime Minister, in which both main parties discuss little more than individual private matters and petty anecdotes. For example, when speaking of Brown calling an election, Cameron brings up the integrity of the Prime Minister’s book rather than the reason for Brown delaying an election. In an effort to gain respect and support through tearing down opposition, they alienate themselves further as we see a greasy and underhanded popularity battle instead of real policy scrutiny and competition.
Even the Party conferences are tainted by overly malicious comments concerning the opposition. Blair in his 2006 party conference said that “if we can’t take this lot [the Conservatives] apart, we shouldn’t be in this business at all”.
It is arguable that this style of politics produces a competitive arena in which politicians strive to produce improved manifestoes and intense debates which expose details of the governing party’s intentions. It could also be said that policy is not neglected, rather scrutinized in a deeper manner, and that the notion of a continued post war consensus was a concept which Thatcher rightly nipped in the bud. A degree of conflict is necessary, but, especially in the current Brown vs. Cameron battle, this has been taken out of hand. Is this a reflection of the lack of opposition policy and attempt to tear down individuals for votes? Or simply a testament to Brown’s poor leadership? It is hard to believe that such a petty approach to politics does little more than stir up headlines in an effort to gain votes. How can we truly hold these people in high regard when their behavior and lack of dignity would be disgraceful outside of politics?
As the turnout at elections shrinks and people become further disengaged from the political process, the dwindling amount of respect we now hold for our leaders could be fatal in the long run. Perhaps it’s about time the politicians gave up the point-scoring and concentrated on policy.