Here at CARE we long to see civility, decency and good debate in our politics. We believe that rigorous debate is a key part of a healthy politics and can help politics to be a great force for good. Sadly, though we often see plenty of examples of bad debate, incivility, and downright poor behaviour.
Each week we will bring you some of our favourite examples of civility, decency, and good debate in our politics, as well as some sad examples of the darker side of politics.
THE GOOD
Campaigning, civilly…
We were pleased to see the Parliamentary candidates in Wycombe agree to run a decent and civilised campaign this week. Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) Steve Baker (Conservative) and Emma Reynolds (Labour) made the pledge this week – a move we would like to see more of…
Disagreement not division…
The pledge in Wycombe was preceded this week by a call from faith leaders in Buckinghamshire for candidates to show respect and kindness even to those ‘with whom we disagree’. In an open letter PPCs were urged not to ‘sow division and enmity’.
They’re human after all…
Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey gave a moving interview this week to ITV news about his caring responsibilities for his son which seemed to unite the political class if only for a few hours in a show of support and appreciation of his vulnerability and honesty. Moments like this are helpful reminders for us all that politicians are people just like us. People with hopes and dreams, fears and worries, who love and are loved.
THE BAD
The Rest is Politics interviewed Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves this week on how Labour planned to fund public services like the NHS. Politics inevitably involves disagreements and sometimes even tension, but this debate seemed a bit more blame game and whataboutism rather than a well-informed disagreement.
Pluck a number out of the air…
The first of the TV debates between Sunak and Starmer kicked off this week with Sunak laying into Starmer over supposed Labour policies increasing tax by £2000 sparking a furious row over the truthfulness of the claim. Yet, even the conservative leaning magazine the Spectator denounced Sunak’s figures as farcical.
However, that’s not to say that Labour is immune from accusations of their own economic cloak and daggers movement, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) lamenting the lack of openness on both sides.
THE UGLY
UK politician assaulted…
Following Nigel Farrage’s announcement this week that he would stand for Parliament in Clacton, a woman in the crowd threw a milkshake over him as he passed by. She has since been charged by the Police.
Sadly, this incident didn’t receive universal condemnation with many celebrating the attack or claiming Farage ‘deserved it’. Whatever your thoughts of Farage’s politics no one deserves to be confronted in this way.
Besides, why should we expect to have a healthy and decent politics filled with excellent politicians when many quite rightly fear being attacked?
THE FUNNY
Politics has its good moments and its bad moments but sometimes it’s just quite funny. Each week we will bring you some of our favourite highlights from the week.
Tom Cruise standing in the election???
This week’s funny moment nearly saw film star Tom Cruise join the Prime Minister’s election campaign. Cruise looked set to climb into the Prime Minister’s car in South London mistaking the PMs car for his own…
