There are plenty more where these fellows came from. It's a kind of rogues' gallery showing the faces of four Conservative MPs who have recently disgraced both The Conservative Party, this great kingdom and the ordinary people who voted for them. It has all happened on PM Johnson's watch and in each instance Johnson has sought to brush the embarrassment and wrongdoing under the carpet. I guess it is a technique he has often used in relation to his own misdemeanours of which there are many.
At the top is senior Tory MP - the appropriately named Chris Pincher - who got as drunk as a lord in the Carlton Club in central London and then proceeded to grope other men. Not the first time he has been guilty of such misconduct. Maybe he should have his name changed to Dick Pincher.
Below there's Imran Ahmad Khan, the former MP for Wakefield. He is now languishing in prison after he was found guilty of sexual assault on a fifteen year old boy. Again - not the first time his sexual predilections have been observed. and noted.
Now we are looking at Neil Parish - the former Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton. He was observed in The House of Commons chamber drooling over porn material that he was watching on his smartphone. Not a "smart" thing to do in such a place. He was supposed to be there to work and to represent the people who had voted for him but he preferred looking at naked women and sex acts. In addition he has let down the illustrious Society of Neils.
Finally, here's Owen Patterson who blatantly tried to use his position as an MP to benefit two companies who had given him money - Randox and Lynn’s Country Foods. Johnson even tried to change the standards rules to save Patterson's bacon. I remember him trying to use his wife's illness as a suitable reason for not pursuing his wrongdoing. He was like a schoolboy in denial, stomping his feet and yelling, "It's not fair!" Thankfully he has gone never to return. Johnson's support was once again badly misplaced.
See - it's not just in the USA or Australia where citizens find themselves lumbered with disgraceful politicians who get too big for their own boots and are very slow to confess. Usually they only get round to spitting out words like "sorry" and "I take full responsibility" when they have been caught out and they are cornered like rats in a barn.
Just goes to show you. White male "conservatives" are the worst people on the planet. All they want to "conserve" is their own privilege and entitlement to be assholes and never held accountable. How -- HOW -- do these people get elected??? Asking for a friend in the USA.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah? I wonder who that friend might be?
DeleteIt seems what I hear from public relation people in the media, when caught the best way to deal with your wrongdoing is confess your immediately, acknowledge the pain you may have caused, apologise sincerely and not with 'I am sorry if anyone took offence', then keep your mouth shut.
ReplyDeleteGovernmental Ministers here used to be sacked for much less than they get away with now. With no party ever being entirely clean, it does seem the conservative side of politics is over represented in the 'I dun wrong' stakes.
Who put the "con" in conservative?
DeleteOne wonders why these characters are so ready to run for office?
ReplyDeleteUnder PM Johnson even a mass murderer would think he'd be in with a chance of promotion - as long as folk didn't recognise him.
DeleteIt's an epidemic, I guess.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's worse than COVID19.
DeleteWasn‘t it ever thus? Politicians on every level, in every country, or anyone in a position of power for that matter, have misused or even abused their privileges. I still wonder how much of it was part of their characters before they took office, and how much they changed once they were part of whatever system they are in, be it politics, church or business.
ReplyDeleteWe need to be grateful for every decent person who really strives to do their best - not for themselves but for those they make decisions for.
I am still confident that the representatives you referred to in your last sentence are in the majority.
DeleteI agree - look at the number of MPs caught with their fingers in the till when the expenses scandal burst around 10 years ago.
DeleteThey were like pigs at a trough Will but they were the minority.
DeletePrivilege begets arrogance and disdain for others?
ReplyDeleteThe evidence suggests that but there are many decent, principled people working in politics - doing their best for others.
DeleteWho cleans up the government? There are public enquiries into individual cases but prison seems a non-starter for an MP. On the whole I am prepared to believe that there are only a few corrupt politicians (and mostly at the top). BJ seems to be a lax leader when it comes to morality - so lets get rid of him for a starter.
ReplyDeleteHis initials are unfortunate.
DeleteWhat is it with MPs and despicable behaviour? Is there a special school where they learn this stuff or are they all just naturally despicable? If the latter, how the heck do they get elected to such high positions?
ReplyDeleteWhich came first - the cart or the horse? The chicken or the egg?
DeleteYet again I find myself nodding in agreement with Librarian's comments.
ReplyDeleteIs there some character flaw that makes certain people become politicians - do they start out with good intentions, but become devious along the way? We all know that money and power are great incentives and is this what draws certain people to politics?
I too would like to think that the majority of those elected are decent, hard-working, honest people, with the best interests for those they represent at heart.
It's important to maintain a proper perspective. Decent politicians must not be tarred with the same brush we rightly use on Pincher, Khan, Parish and Patterson.
DeleteI'm certain it is not just restricted to Conservatives but both sides of the house and in all walks of life you will find these oddballs who usurp their power over lesser mortals
ReplyDeleteThere are bad apples in every barrel but the Tory barrel seems to have more than its fair share.
DeleteMen in power often become corrupt in one way or another because they believe their level of power will shield them.
ReplyDeleteThey become blinkered - as if they are above societal norms.
DeleteI wish I could say it's reassuring that you, too, have your smarmy and criminal politicians but somehow, it's just not. It's all so depressing.
ReplyDeleteHonour, dignity and lucidity seem to be in retreat.
DeleteI can't help feeling sorry for their families. If it were my husband, son, rather I would be so ashamed.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how they get away with it.
Having a leader like Johnson helps them to get away with their wrongdoing.
DeleteI think we just hear about their dirty deeds more now, Neil. I think there have always been some nasties in politics but their exploits weren't always discovered and spread all over the internet because there was no internet! We sure were kept in the dark in the "old days"! Nowadays it scares me how misinformation is shared as true facts and people believe all sorts of silly shit if it fits their agenda.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what will happen next...
You might be right Ellen. I am not sure. If someone chooses to go into politics, he or she would be well-advised to get a squeaky-clean certificate or they will be found out in the end.
DeleteIt's so interesting how we all repeatedly wind up with goons like these in government. I suppose one must have a pretty big ego to run for office, and that ego is also likely to lead down damaging paths if they don't have the presence of mind to keep it in check.
ReplyDelete