Bringing Humanity Back to British Politics
In last Sunday’s edition of BBC’s “Politics West”, we delved into why people are increasingly reluctant to stand for public office. A significant deterrent is the abuse directed at many politicians. I suggested that this stems from a dehumanization of public figures. When we see politicians as less than fully human, it’s easier to hurl abuse at them.
Unfortunately, this mindset isn’t confined to politics; it’s a broader issue.
Consider the recent redundancies at Dyson. Did the company truly consider the impact on staff with families, children in local schools, and roots in their communities?
When water companies fail their customers, do they think about the households and farms affected by raw sewage?
When NHS boards propose surgery closures, have they considered the implications for disabled, ill, or elderly people who can’t just hop on a (usually non-existent) bus?
It’s time to restore humanity at every level of our society, starting at the top with the House of Commons. Culture spreads from the top down, and our MPs need to set a better example.
For too long, the atmosphere in Parliament has been more about shouting matches than meaningful debate. It’s high time we swapped the aggressive posturing for some genuine civility.
Imagine that – politicians actually being respectful to each other!
We need a new mood in the House. Think less “gladiatorial combat” and more “constructive dialogue.” MPs should focus on finding common ground and working together, not just scoring points. This doesn’t mean abandoning passionate debate, but rather infusing it with respect and empathy.
Of course, some politicians are still stuck in the old-school, aggressive style of politics. They seem to think that being the loudest makes them the most effective.
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. It just makes the rest of us tune out.
The good news is that some old hands in the House of Commons have commented that there seems to be a (generally, not always) better mood and a better standard of behaviour since the recent election. I take that as a hopeful sign that the culture is shifting.
Restoring humanity to politics isn’t complicated. It’s about MPs remembering they’re there to serve real people, not their own egos or ambitions. It’s about listening more and grandstanding less. And yes, it’s about occasionally admitting when they’re wrong – a rare but refreshing sight.
So, Westminster, let’s see less mud-slinging and more hand-shaking. Less point-scoring and more problem-solving. By fostering a more respectful and compassionate political culture, we can create an environment where diverse voices are heard, complex issues are thoughtfully addressed, and the focus remains on serving the public good.
With a bit of humanity, British politics might just become something we can all be proud of again – and maybe even attract more people to stand for elected office.
A few of the things I’ve done this week…
✅ Met with Stop Lime Down committee to discuss strategy, and was interviewed on BBC Radio Wiltshire on the issue
✅ Met with local councillors and wrote letter to the NHS Integrated Care Board to push for new Sherston surgery as a matter of urgency
✅ Marched with protestors in Wotton-under-Edge over the proposed loss of crucial 84/85 bus route to Yate
✅ Attended Thomas Sladden’s first concert, held at the Wiltshire Music Centre in honour of the Liz Lawrence Award given to the former Malmesbury School pupil by the charity Wiltshire Rural Music
✅ Appeared on Politics West
✅ Spoke at meeting in Westminster on turning Britain into a leading nation on recycling – was good to be able to casually drop in the phrase “when I was rowing around the North Pacific Garbage Patch”…!
✅ Delivered petition on the Climate and Nature Bill to Number Ten (pictured)
✅ Attended first PMQs
✅ Plus getting new processes in place with my constituency team for handling my voluminous mailbag, actioning casework, and staying in touch with residents all year round
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR DYSON DESIGN ENGINEERS: There will be a jobs fair in Bristol on Monday 5th August specifically for design engineers who lost their jobs at Dyson, giving them an opportunity to meet prospective employers, and/or to talk with advisors on setting up their own business. Please contact Brad Harper via LinkedIn for more details. (I will be saying a few words at the event too.)
Quote of the Week
“When the norm is decency, other virtues can thrive: integrity, honesty, compassion, kindness, and trust.”
— Raja Krishnamoorthi
Have a great week!