Does the public expect too much of UK politicians?

Since I last wrote anything here, this blog has had an enforced minor rebrand, and the owner has spent much time procrastinating about doing something meaningful with this time off from normality. I have continued to enter writing competitions when they emerge and I am grateful to all of you who voted for my article in openDemocracy's competition about the state of the world post-Covid. I will no doubt upload that at some point, but first I want to share my entry to this year's Political Studies Association competition in association with the Financial Times. Some of you may remember that my entry to last year's competition was rather well-received, with a trip to Parliament corresponding with my second place overall. Whilst I won't be off to Westminster this year, I'd like to share my article here - first written in April of this year - for you to formulate an opinion on it for yourself. Stay safe!

Does the public expect too much of UK Politicians?

The public’s disregard for politicians can be demonstrated by one man – though he is just one example of what is a far wider systemic issue. Neil Hamilton was initially known for his staunch Thatcherism and libel cases, yet he soon became the infamous face of political sleaze caught up in the ‘cash-for-questions’ affair.  He then, despite objections, self-indulgently stood for re-election and was unseated by the honourable dove that was Martin Bell. If we add this debacle to ‘cash-for-peerages’, parliamentary expenses scandals, ‘Sexminster’ and the puzzling political vortex that was and still is Brexit, then is it any wonder that public opinion of politicians is at rock bottom?

Post-Profumo, deferential treatment, previously afforded to politicians, declined. Interviewers became more combative in their journalism, yet there remained a distinct aura of respect towards politicians, for the job they did and the duty they served. However, scandal after scandal since then has gradually eroded whatever faith the public had in our political classes, so that they now expect little of them.

Public disdain also extends to political parties themselves, so more and more politicians seek to go beyond their party affiliation, or even break free from them entirely. Boris Johnson’s ‘Presidential’ campaign style in 2019 was unprecedented for the UK and its Cabinet government. The reasoning behind this was logical though. Boris’ popular appeal has always transcended partisanship, thanks to his large media presence and caricatured personality that seems to represent both the archetype and antithesis of the groomed and manufactured career politician. Rory Stewart also attracted bipartisan support, though whilst Johnson’s personal charm has brought the Conservative party along with him, Stewart’s appeal saw him expelled from his Party, though he has since embraced the political freedom and greater popularity that comes with not having to defend awful policy initiatives in the face of Collective Responsibility or party whips.

Beyond the UK, Matteo Salvini, Thierry Baudet, and Evo Morales show that being outside the mainstream political establishment - irrespective of ideology - allows you to shirk responsibility for the failures of past governments and come across almost as a non-political politician. Ideologically, Rory Stewart has little in common with Morales, Baudet and Salvini, but they have all benefited at some point or another by being able to set themselves apart from the incumbent ruling class of politicians, tainted by the toils of governance.

So where does all of this leave us?

                                                                                                           

There is an argument that the public expects nothing of our politicians due to the little they have to offer and our archaic First Past the Post electoral system. However this is overly simplistic and goes against the tireless efforts of many local and national politicians who make themselves accessible and accountable to those who voted for them, and those who didn’t. What if politicians were more representative of the people - maybe elected proportionally to the number of people who vote for them - and more honest about their failures and shortcomings? Somewhat counterintuitively, this could see public trust increasing (as shown by the higher average voter turnout and engagement in countries with PR e.g. Sweden and Germany), even if apparent governing competence diminishes. This message however, does not seem to have reached the proportionally elected AM for Mid Wales. Nowadays, Neil Hamilton – the last remaining senior UKIP politician – spends his days railing against the ‘woke’ liberalisation of political parties and individuals on Twitter, all whilst claiming expenses for commuting from his Wiltshire manor to his job in the Welsh Assembly. Maybe we’ll always be expecting too much after all…