This political swine flu is about more than receipts

08 July 2009

The philosopher David Selbourne says that the present parliamentary crisis is only one symptom of a larger corruption of public and civic institutions

When my book The Principle of Duty was first published in 1994, and knowing little of what was later to be revealed, I discussed its arguments at some length with members of parliament — including Jack Straw, Michael Howard, Iain Duncan Smith, Bill Cash, and David Willetts — in the hope that it might have some influence on public and party policy. The hope was naive: doctrines of rights, coupled with a belief in the moral autonomy of the individual, possess an easy primacy in our political culture over concepts of duty. In addition, there remains greater fear of a (phantom) ‘police state’, and of the ‘violation’ of our near-limitless liberties, than of the consequences of neglecting citizen values and duties.

Today, there is a void beneath our feet. In September 1654, Cromwell ringingly declared that the breaking of obligation was a ‘sad token of the last times’. These are not the last times. But the outbreak of political swine flu has been toxic, and will remain so until a true cure is found. A widespread loss of public regard for the parliamentary system cannot be afforded.

Nevertheless, the exposure of Commons corruption has been salutary, despite the contempt and anger it has aroused. For the disclosures have reminded us that there are more important badges of belonging than that of party, and that a democratic civil society must be protected from abuse of its freedoms, whether the abuses are committed by members of parliament or by others.

Resignations — or ‘stepping down’ while the going is good — deselections and prosecutions for fraud are therefore not merely to be welcomed but are essential; certain MPs, in particular, deserve to pay for having damaged the reputation of the Commons. But parliament, foolishly about to take a ten-week ‘summer break’ after having rushed to shut the stable door, is only one public institution among others which has been brought low; and a new Captain Pride is now being secretly prayed for by many. One day, those prayers may be answered.

David Selbourne’s The Principle of Duty is to be republished by Faber and Faber in October.

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paulgilboy

July 10th, 2009 7:47pm Report this comment

The principle of duty necessitates avoiding any personal morality.
The body politic needs no heroes or cowards but those who uphold what is right and what is wrong.
These are every day virtues found in the many and clearly understood.
However, people and political parties subvert the concept of right and wrong and qualify these absolute concepts.
We have seen terrible injustice and great evil spring forth from a moral point of view, in history.
The malaise of our parliament stems from this.
A simple premise innate and understood by all.

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