What is the answer?

[Aggers]

It seems obvious to me that this country is in a sorry state because, although we are a democracy, we do
not seem to have a political party that we can elect to govern us in an honest and proper manner. This is
a very dangerous position to be in, and could have catastrophic consequences. How do we go about trying,
in a sensible manner, to put the clock back to the days when those in charge of the countries affairs acted
in an honest, conscientious manner? What on earth can we do?

[Osc]

Sorry to say, Aggers, it is not much better over here.

[KateLMead]

Happy New Year Aggers and Osc.. Our country has gone down the drain, we are being governed by Con men and woman who hide behind their titles in all parties and positions, scheming on how they can increase their bank balances., we can look at any party and they are all tarred with the same brush they lie through their damned teeth, and the sad thing is the majority of MP's spend more time scheming and lying making promises they know they cannot keep as they swan about planning how they can squeeze more money out of the tax payer, obtaining contracts and positions under the counter ensuring they continue enjoying their lavish corrupt lifestyle.,,We have "Lords" just Look at them they can buy a title don that ermin cloak that has cost them a few thousand, the likes of Prescott (God save us from the likes of) and the rest of the chancers good bad or indifferent who have bought their Ermin cloaks at a price just for the title, and the majority in The Lords who look as though they have Alzheimer's as they doze off during their £300 a day meeting at Westminster. I am voting UKIP Farage is our only hope., out of scrounging EU who have yet to show their accounts, we pay this controller a fortune for what? Human Rights? They do not exist for us,
"Happy New Year everyone". What you sew so shall we reap.

[Workingman]

How do we go about trying,in a sensible manner, to put the clock back to the days when those in charge of the countries affairs acted in an honest, conscientious manner?

Was there ever such a time? If there was one in my lifetime it has been kept well hidden.

But to answer the question my suggestions are a military coup or the rising up of a benevolent dictator.

Politics appears to only serve politicians and their friends.

[Workingman]

How do we go about trying,in a sensible manner, to put the clock back to the days when those in charge of the countries affairs acted in an honest, conscientious manner?

Was there ever such a time? If there was one in my lifetime it has been kept well hidden.

But to answer the question my suggestions are a military coup or the rising up of a benevolent dictator.

Politics appears to only serve politicians and their friends.

[medsec222]

I am not sure what the answer is. I think we did place a greater trust in governments several decades ago, but whether that was justified is hard to say. Governments are scrutinised in minute detail these days and their imperfections are all too apparent. In my younger days I believe most people had a sense of honour and decency, but that has been slowly eroded as realisation sets in that honesty does not seem to be the best policy.

[Aggers]

In my younger days I believe most people had a sense of honour and decency, but that has been slowly eroded as realisation sets in that honesty does not seem to be the best policy.

That's it. Medsec. That's exactly how I feel. But, why, oh why have people changed so? What is to blame?
If we knew the answer perhaps something could be done to rectify things.

[Workingman]

Honesty being the best policy. An interesting maxim, but maybe not true, certainly in politics.

There was a time when telling something nearer to the truth was possibly the case, but the rise of instant media, starting with TV, and the death of investigative journalism destroyed all that.

From WWII up to I suppose Heath and Wilson, PMs and Ministers would make speeches one day for publication or broadcast the day after. Remember, TV time in those days was limited. This allowed the media to delve into what was being said, do some research, and make some analysis. Liars were bound to be found out.

Nowadays we have 24 hour instant information. Things can be said in the full knowledge that a new avalanche of information is hot on the way. There is little time for any deep analysis so things get left, brushed under the carpet, unless something goes wrong or the real truth unfolds. It means that politicians cannot be held to account the way they were in the past, and when attempts are made so much time has gone by that the truth hardly ever comes out.

If you were PM or a Minister what would you do: Tell the truth, and possibly lose your job, or tell a white lie that sounds plausible knowing that the system will protect you in the unfortunate event that you were found out?

[medsec222]

I don't know Frank. When Margaret Thatcher was in power I had an inherent trust of what she was saying as I felt she was principled and had integrity. Thirty years or so down the line, I wonder what, if anything, she had knowledge of and may have been prepared to conceal. I hope that her integrity will stand the test of time.

[Workingman]

I only mentioned Heath and Wilson in general, Meds, but under the 30 year rule some Thatcher papers were released in 2014 and she was no Snow White.