Children learn lessons – it’s what they do. The rest of
us tend to learn by our mistakes, sometimes by repetition of the same mistake over
and over again until it dawns on us, but the novel idea that government is
capable of learning at more than glacial speed is laughable. They say we should
learn history so that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past; if it weren’t
so tragic at times the lengths to which some in public office go to repeat the
same old errors should be enough to convince, at least, that history is a
lesson that largely goes ignored.
No matter what colour of rosette fills the government front
benches and no matter how solemn the tacit promises at their swearing-in not to
bring the office into disrepute, never far away are the revelations. A look at
the history of power, from local council to the highest office in the land, reveals
misuse and corruption on epic scales. Scandals abound, revealing activity that
would land most of us in court and yet frequently go unpunished when committed
by our elected representatives.
Perversion of the planning and procurement procedures, sometimes clumsily, via the now almost traditional brown envelope back-handers, but more often
for future favour. The promise of support now for a vote down the line, often
going against express electoral wishes. Nepotism run wild as interfamilial and
dynastic loyalties promote preferment and preferential treatment; each little
act helping to build the walls separating the noble family trees from dilution by
the not-so-favoured. The separation of them and us is never so evident as when
seeing the chinless, talentless scions ‘kinnocking’ their way to the lofty
heights.
By way of entertainment and distraction from our envy and
anger they occasionally throw us the bone of buffoonery or, even better, some
seedy sex scandal. From predilections towards questionable sado-masochistic
acts through out and out, full-on latex dominatrix fantasies to the suspicions
of kiddy-fiddling and disposal of the damaged participants with the full or
partial collusion of police and judiciary. Such exploits, nearly always only
coming after or near the death or senility of the perpetrators carry the stench
of corruption, threat and extreme abuse of powers.
Life aboard the gravy train continues apace with only the
occasional low-flyer thrown to the wolves to distract the pack from their
pursuit. Minor victories – today’s headlines – become tomorrow’s chip paper and
even widespread scandals such as MP’s expenses are only nominally punished; the
same snouts continue to grub at the same trough with little evidence they are
chastened beyond what was necessary for the press calls which magically wipe
away their sins.
So you’ll forgive me if I show no great interest in the
lumbering tomes of the Chilcot Report. Like every such report before it the contents
will be largely unsensational, having been know at least vaguely for years and
its conclusions will be no great surprise. I have no reason to expectat that we
will be seeing a public hanging any day soon.
