The State of our Democracy

I can only try to imagine how desperate and distraught Sir David Amess’s family and friends will be after his senseless and cold-blooded murder. 

I had occasion to respond to Sir David’s speeches in the Commons.  I have written to his family, echoing the words of countless others about his unfailing courtesy and commitment to his constituents.

His murder, just five years after the appalling incident which took Jo Cox’s life, means further security measures are inevitable and appropriate.

A review was immediately triggered.  Ideas for improving MP’s personal security that have emerged include private security guards to be deployed at MPs constituency surgeries, making them by appointment only and banning anonymity on social media.

But even if all of these measures, and more, are rolled out, short of providing MPs with the level of security provided to those who document the activities of the mafia or the drugs’ cartels, MPs will be vulnerable to islamist threats, or fixated individuals.

There is however an area where we can all make a difference and make serving as an elected official more, rather than less, attractive and that is the tone and nature of our communications with MPs, Mayors and Councillors and other politicians.

We are fortunate to live in one of half of the countries in the world with a democratic government.  By definition that will mean politicians will be voicing differing, sometimes radically different views to our own.

An acknowledgement by their opponents that those views are genuinely held, and that they are not advocated out of spite or casual indifference could take some of the heat out of our political system.  This would not mean toning down criticism of the policy per se. but focusing on the ball, not the man or woman.  

There is also an arena where politicians can choose to do things differently.  

The UK has a particularly confrontational - winner takes all - style of politics.  It is axiomatic that what the other party says, and does, is wrong.  Yet political manifestos are littered with proposals trashed by opponents at the time the manifesto was launched, and then adopted by those same opponents when they gain power. 

The odd confession by politicians that a policy put forward by an arch rival has some merit, pour encourager les autres in a positive sense, would do no harm.

In fact, it could do considerable good, and help reset our politics.

It would take the vitriol out, silence the tribal war drums, but leave the vim and vigour in.

It would be a fitting tribute to Sir David and Jo, championing their style of politics.