The rules apply to everyone, Suella

WE probably care less about the private failings of politicians than we have ever done. Issues that might have brought down a Minister 30 years ago would nowadays be regarded as intrusions into privacy rather than causes for resignation. When most of the rules have gone, it is harder to be a hypocrite.

But one thing remains bound to bring real outrage – people in high office trying to get around rules the rest of us must obey. Motorists are nowadays surrounded with a spider’s web of regulations and monitoring. What’s more, this is one area in which the police and the courts seem ready and willing to prosecute and punish. A speeding driver is far more likely to be caught and prosecuted than a burglar.

So it is not a great shock to learn that the Tory politician Suella Braverman was caught speeding, shortly before she became Home Secretary. And she was, as is usual, offered the choice between points on her licence and attending a Speed Awareness Course. Having by now become Home Secretary, and very close to the administration of justice, Ms Braverman seems to have sought special treatment, presumably because she was embarrassed about the procedure. This is a pity.

Ms Braverman has shown herself to be an intelligent and active Minister. If she had simply done what was required, most of us would have shrugged and said: ‘It could happen to anyone.’

As for the Speed Awareness Course itself, those who have taken part in these sessions mostly come away very glad that they went; safer drivers with a better idea of their limitations and a better understanding of the need for speed limits. Let us hope Ms Braverman – and others – learn from this that the best thing to do in such circumstances is to behave as if they are normal people, own up and take the consequences.