IS DECEPTION AT THE HEART OF POLITICS?
“Starmer’s calculation, in January 2021 just as in April 2020, is that the country doesn’t want to hear politics as usual during the pandemic – so his challenge, now as it was then, is to perform constructiveness while finding ways to differentiate himself from and to undermine Boris Johnson – without looking like he is doing anything of the kind.” Oddly this was not a criticism but part of a complimentary article by Stephen Bush, political editor of The New Statesman, which is openly and staunchly pro-Labour. But that political leaning is of no relevance here. It is however highly relevant that his statement espouses a philosophy that the challenge of politics is to deceive the populace when necessary, as shown by the final words of the quote.
It is not known whether Keir Starmer truly shares his advocate’s philosophy, but it may be reasonable to conclude he does as it is common that during the pandemic and over the Brexit trade deal, he has stated his support for a Government decision, but then belittled or undermined it – virtually every Covid-19 (CV) action and decision is verbally backed but is almost always derided as too little too late or with a similar label. On the trade deal, he voted in favour but made clear it was not a good deal, however laying all responsibility for it at the feet of Boris Johnson to let him stew in his own juice. Perhaps this has always been the stuff of opposition in British politics. However, this is a time of National Emergency when controlling CV is the paramount national interest to which the entire UK population should be dedicating itself. Now is not the time to seek to deceive the voters by undermining “without looking like he is doing anything of the kind”. Indeed, if Stephen Bush is right about the job of the leader of the opposition, maybe a rethink is needed if respectability and respectfulness in politics is to be rekindled.
In the same piece, Stephen Bush made the point that “The problem for him is that a Conservative vs Labour battle is what the media wants….”. This attitude of the media has been very evident whether in the press or from broadcasters, or commentators in social media. That objective has severely scarred the sensible reporting of matters Covid or Brexit or social or economic. The creation of division by an approach which is designed to find fault and stir conflict, rather than support and unity, has meant that much of the media has put the national interest second or perhaps not even considered it has a responsibility in that direction. Is it naïve to believe that things could change?
WHERE DECEIT LEADS – DONALD TRUMP SHOWS THE WAY
Deceit, lies and disrespect are core tools in the Donald Trump armoury to achieve his ultimate purpose – to make himself a winner, and never a loser at all costs. See TRUMPISM – A RISKY TRANSITION? He hurls abuse at all in his way. This was demonstrated in spades through his strategic plan of orchestrated deception of his followers that the U.S. Presidential election had been stolen fraudulently by the Democrats and that he, Donald Trump, had therefore won. That most Republicans on Capitol Hill in effect supported this lie demonstrated the level of erosion of moral fibre. This deceit culminated in the humiliation of the United States and the Republican Party through the invasion and defilement of the Capitol by a rabble of supporters incited by Donald Trump and leaving five innocent people dead.
The deceits and abuses published by Donald Trump during his presidency, and supported by numerous Republican State representatives, have created a poisoned political environment of polarised division where civility and respectfulness across differing political persuasions is at a scarce premium. As his loyal vice-president, Mike Pence, finally refused to support the lie but rather validated the Joe Biden election, he became the target of abuse.
However, at least with Donald Trump, when he seeks to undermine an opponent or ally, though he may do so with lies, it is obvious to many in the world what he is doing. The New Statesman approach is far more dangerous. In the U.S. the unprincipled standards of behaviour towards political opponents – Republicans v Democrats – and the total lack of respect for others’ opinions makes the task of rebuilding unity across interest groups Herculean.
AUTHENTICITY, RESPECT AND TRUTH
Will the self-destructive parlous state of U.S. politics, the hatred which has been engendered and keeps manifesting itself because people have differing opinions be a lesson to the UK? What has undermined their democracy and common bonds is at least in part perhaps that abuse has replaced respect for differing views; refusal to hear has replaced respectful argument; and misinformation -that is misrepresentation, lies and deceit – have become acceptable tools to undermine other people under the protective mantle of the fundamental value of freedom of speech. When that freedom gets so abused, some correction is perhaps required. These traits are clearly recognisable in the UK.
A significant debate is set to continue on whether the social media controllers, such as Twitter, by suspending Donald Trump from tweeting, should be able to exercise such a power or whether doing so is offensive to freedom of speech, or whether regulation needs tightening. Leaving that aside, outright lies promulgated around the world by the press of a button and which cause death and destruction perhaps cannot be allowed to occur without redress and need to be stopped. Malevolent nations are doing just that to create chaos. The lie is peddled that CV as a virus is made up fiction and does not exist: once the lie takes root in a person’s book of beliefs it can be hard to dislodge. Perhaps in a National Emergency social media should not provide a soap box for manifest untruths. Authenticity and truth need to be embedded as a standard somehow into the information publication systems. Freedom of speech surely cannot be so abused as to justify sayings which undermine the fabric of society, its efforts to defeat a pandemic and put lives at risk.
In the UK, to some degree due to how supporters and opponents of Brexit attacked each other publicly, often with irrational unfounded abuse, showing lack of respect for another’s viewpoint, diminishing them with untruths and half-truths, has become a norm, which so often goes uncriticised. Objectivity has been seriously undermined. Influential people often are shameless in misrepresenting information, exaggerating and misleading by omission in their efforts to discredit, often in abusive tones. A typical example is how the principle of taking control of borders gets characterised as a phobia or racism. There is today in so many important quarters an almost embedded inclination to polarise and encourage discord: Stephen Bush’s remark that the media want a battle evidences the point.
Politicians and influencers need to lead to change this. UKGOV and Boris Johnson must be the foremost leaders. Their challenge is to bring back reasoned argument and respectful debate where differences exist. Demonstrating that can be done in politics may inspire those who would stop debate on sensitive topics such as sexism and racism to listen to other opinions. Abuse and shouting down have to go. Made up allegations and misleading exaggerations need to disappear. Misquoting and designing questions to establish fault, not truth, should be unacceptable journalism. Genuine argument and debate on topics that matter in an honest spirit of constructiveness need resurrection in politics and across responsible media. Authenticity, respect and truth have to beat pretence, abuse and deceit.
