- the message to millions who valued closer ties with continental Europe is: suck it up
- the message to Scotland is: we’re in charge. We’re bigger than you. We can impose our will on you. Know your place
2/4...
- the message to Northern Ireland is: we know we’ve hugely destabilised you. But we’re going to pretend we haven’t and we’d be grateful if you could pretend not to notice too. But most of all, we don’t really care because it was worth it to get what we wanted for England
3/4...
To say the least, all this is not a recipe for political, constitutional and social healing.
The tone, and some of the substance, needs to change fast if the Government is serious about bringing people together
You can’t just govern for people who agree with you 4/END
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It’s very strange that this speech about ethics in Government from the head of the committee on standards of public life hasn’t received a lot more attention.
Lord Evans, a superb former head of MI5, is someone who chooses his words carefully.
“Quite simply, the perception is taking root that too many in public life, including some in our political leadership, are choosing to disregard the norms of ethics and propriety that have explicitly governed public life for the last 25 years...” 2/
“and that, when contraventions of ethical standards occur, nothing happens.”