How has politics become the gutter, in which would-be leaders belittle one another, insult fellow citizens and offend guests in this country? Those who stand for election to parliament or council see themselves as would-be leaders of society, claiming respect, votes, and authority. Why do some allow or voice hate towards people they do not know or simply disagree with? Hate has no place within society, let alone in the corridors of power. Whatever happened to good manners, which have always been the glue of society?
The rules and conventions of both Houses of Parliament may seem rather old-school but they have a real purpose. Passions can run high over issues which matter. Unmoderated bedlam would make parliament’s work impossible and lose it all respect. Formalities and norms can take steam out of debates, making them more reasoned, courteous and consensual.
Differences must be expected between opposing parties but have for centuries been subdued in defence of law-making and respect for the institution. While the layout of the Commons chamber symbolises antagonism, the space between opposing sides purposefully obstructs physicality. The moderation of the Speaker in each house, often using euphemistic and arcane language, may seem fusty but gives pause to those tempted to abandon restraint.
Division appears more valuable than unity
But something has changed. Politicians, particularly of the Right, whether from wilfulness or ignorance, have decided that division is more valuable than unity. Instead of “selling” their policies to the widest possible audience, some have come to realise the effectiveness of reinforcing the prejudices of their core followers whilst damning opponents. Under the current electoral system, guaranteed support from a mere 30% of voters may secure power, especially with the sympathetic editorial support of the most effective media. If a part of their platform is hate, this cements “othering” of those hated into how they use that power. This is the pathway towards fascism.
President George W Bush’s demonisation of opposition to his “war on terror” set this hare running in the USA but the root of this change in this country is surely the 2016 Brexit referendum, the exemplar of binary politics. Johnson, elected to implement the narrow decision, cynically misused his authority to damage democratic norms and rid his own party of those who might disagree with him.
Trump rides roughshod
Seeing Trump across the Atlantic riding roughshod over decades of liberal democratic evolution encouraged him to try the same here: disrespect for the diversity of the electorate and for democratic norms; insults and offence towards people already struggling with austerity and inequity; lies to justify his behaviour.
His soiled baton has now passed to those who lead parties of the Right, whose stock-in-trade is to demonise and belittle less fortunate people, now unhampered by the baggage of inherited values. Mutual respect between competing parties has dwindled as demagogues vie to be the most offensive towards those who disagree with them. It is almost as though election success licenses arrogance, rather than humble gratitude.
Politicians incentivised to divide
What is going on when a would-be minister seeks to pile ever more misfortune on those who already suffer deprivation or disability? How can we respect those who pander to the basest attitudes towards those they should be leading? Political figures who stir up such offensive division, especially if incentivised to do so by other interests, are not fit for purpose.
The discourse has been further coarsened by the free-for-all known as “X”, which reaches all and anybody directly with hate-filled and deliberately divisive language which can only wound decency, hurt feelings and further divide the nation. Personal verbal attacks on politicians have become unrestrained. Even on platforms advanced as kinder, messages claiming and promoting hatred of PMs Starmer and now Burnham have become commonplace, presumably from people who have never had any truck with them.
With largely unregulated power to offend, social media may seem out of control, changing forever the manner in which politics is conducted. What may this do to our social fabric?
Hatred for strangers is simply idiotic and shows up the hater. Hatred for a category of people equates to racism and damages society. Hate-speech to stir up others must constitute an offence. Language giving offense is indeed subject to laws against hate-speech, racism or promotion of violence. Why are these not enforced, to restore civility and give politics a chance again? This must be addressed from the top where we must select, elect and appoint figures who unify and who are not afraid to act against those who damage democracy and society.
Do manners matter? In a democracy, very much.
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