1/ Last night on the stream, inspired by the obvious, I talked about the three reasons transparency around gifts and loans is so important.
You're welcome to listen, but it was a little long and disjointed so I'll also summarize in this thread 👇.
twitch.tv/videos/1005252…
You're welcome to listen, but it was a little long and disjointed so I'll also summarize in this thread 👇.
twitch.tv/videos/1005252…
2/ Failing to be transparent around gifts and loans, especially comparatively small ones, can seem like a pretty minor infraction.
No one seriously thinks you can buy the Prime Minister of a G7 country for a few gold curtains.
But that's not why we have transparency rules.
No one seriously thinks you can buy the Prime Minister of a G7 country for a few gold curtains.
But that's not why we have transparency rules.
3/ Transparency rules exist for three reasons:
1⃣ Scrutiny
2⃣ Security
3⃣ Perception
They are important, even if you don't think the Prime Minister should face serious electoral or career consequences for allegedly breaking them in this instance. They deserve explanation.
1⃣ Scrutiny
2⃣ Security
3⃣ Perception
They are important, even if you don't think the Prime Minister should face serious electoral or career consequences for allegedly breaking them in this instance. They deserve explanation.
4/ ** Scrutiny **
There is real discretion available to Ministers and officials in how they make decisions, and opportunity to put a finger on the scales for friends, even subconsciously.
Declaring gifts shows scrutinizing authorities and journalists where to look closer.
There is real discretion available to Ministers and officials in how they make decisions, and opportunity to put a finger on the scales for friends, even subconsciously.
Declaring gifts shows scrutinizing authorities and journalists where to look closer.
5/ Moreover, knowing that giving a gift will place any decisions in your favor under greater scrutiny, or that doing something for someone that has loaned you money will be looked at, is itself a disincentive to curry favor through presents.
Transparency is itself a dissuader.
Transparency is itself a dissuader.
6/ ** Security **
This is perhaps the biggest one.
The story of a large undeclared loan or gift is politically damaging. That gives whoever gave it to you (and thus knows about it) power over you. They can threaten to release the information to embarrass you politically.
This is perhaps the biggest one.
The story of a large undeclared loan or gift is politically damaging. That gives whoever gave it to you (and thus knows about it) power over you. They can threaten to release the information to embarrass you politically.
7/ For obvious reasons, it is a bad idea for people (even friends) to have blackmail material on Ministers or senior officials.
I believe the government may be Cummings to that realization as we speak.
Transparency robs that blackmail of its power.
I believe the government may be Cummings to that realization as we speak.
Transparency robs that blackmail of its power.
8/ Finally, perception.
Few in a modern democracy are under any illusions about the greater access moneyed interests have to leaders and decision makers.
However, public faith in government depends in part on knowing that such interests can't overtly & brazenly bribe favors.
Few in a modern democracy are under any illusions about the greater access moneyed interests have to leaders and decision makers.
However, public faith in government depends in part on knowing that such interests can't overtly & brazenly bribe favors.
9/ Being transparent and up front, rather than having the information trickle out through front page headlines by investigative journalists, is important for preserving public confidence that their leaders aren't being bought.
Outside twitter cynicism city, that matters. /end
Outside twitter cynicism city, that matters. /end
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