Democracy by far the best
I hope that I am not alone in being very anxious about the future of democracy in both world terms and also within the UK.
I write what follows believing strongly that a democracy – and in particular a democracy with proper checks, balances, and respect for the rule of law – is by far the best and most decent form of government.
But when I look at what has fairly recently happened in
Italy, the Netherlands, and eastern Europe, alarm bells are ringing for me – and that is before we have the all-too real possibility of Presidents Trump (again) and Le Pen before too long.
But the main purpose of this letter is to ask what the prospects are within the UK when latterly there seems to have been so little respect for both morality and the rule of law in certain quarters:
Is it moral to suggest that someone going abroad and marrying cannot bring that spouse back to the UK unless said spouse earns a lot of money?
What true carer is going to come here and leave his/ her spouse/partner, children, and/or dependent parents in another country unless truly desperate?
Should we morally take advantage of such desperation? And is someone who will leave his/ her dependent family the kind of carer that we want anyway?
What are we to make of a government that seems prepared to make exceptions to human rights law?
Or international treaties?
How moral was it to think not that long ago that we would really believe stories about drives to Barnard Castle or Downing Street parties?
How moral is it to accept a financial situation within this country that appears to threaten both health and caring services, not to mention services for those in need?
How moral is it not to take effective measures to protect the climate for present and future generations?
How far are we being honest if we can argue that taxes can be lowered and services concurrently be improved?