Thread by @ifgevents

Sir John Major delivering keynote speech 'In Democracy We Trust?' @instituteforgov #ifgjohnmajor

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/events/john-ma…

Major: "we take democracy for granted: we should not. It is far more complex than simply having the right to vote" #ifgjohnmajor

Major: Confidence that democracy was secure was premature

“In each of the last fifteen years, democracy has shrunk a little, as political and civil liberties have been diminished”

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Major: Under spotlight of 24hr news and social media “unwise promises are made to placate critics or win votes and – when these are not met – the public loses a little more faith.”#ifgjohnmajor

Major: Politicians need to admit that government can’t do everything “All problems cannot be swiftly and painlessly resolved on demand: it is an impossible task. If politicians admit that, it earns trust and respect.”
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Major argues UK democracy “rests on the conviction that the UK Government acts for the wellbeing of all four of our nations” but acknowledges that not everyone in UK shares that conviction #ifgjohnmajor

Major: democracy “relies also upon respect for the laws made in Parliament; upon an independent judiciary; upon acceptance of the conventions of public life; and on self-restraint by the powerful.” #ifgjohnmajor

Major: When govt falls short “candour must be freely offered – not dragged out under the searchlight of Inquiries. If it is not whole-hearted and convincing, the loss of public trust can be swift and unforgiving. We have seen that playing out in recent weeks.”#ifgjohnmajor

John Major on partygate and recent events: “Trust in politics is at a low ebb, eroded by foolish behaviour, leaving a sense of unease about how our politics is being conducted. Too often, Ministers have been evasive, and the truth has been optional” #ifgjohnmajor

Major:“ When Ministers respond to legitimate questions with pre-prepared soundbites, or half-truths, or misdirection, or wild exaggeration, then respect for government and politics dies a little more." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: “lies are just not acceptable. To imply otherwise is to cheapen public life, and slander the vast majority of elected politicians who do not knowingly mislead.” #ifgjohnmajor

Major: “their behaviour is corrosive. This tarnishes both politics and the reputation of Parliament. It is a dangerous trend. If lies become commonplace, truth ceases to exist. What and who, then, can we believe? The risk is …. nothing and no-one. And where are we then?”

Major on PM: “Parliament is an echo chamber. Lies can become accepted as fact, which – as The Speaker has pointed out – has consequences for policy and for reputation. That is why deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers – and must always be so”

John Major: "At No10, the Prime Minister and officials broke lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day the public was asked to believe the unbelievable. Ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible – making themselves look gullible or foolish."

Major on partygate: "Collectively, this has made the Government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: The lack of trust in the elected portion of our democracy cannot be brushed aside. Parliament has a duty to correct this. If it does not, and trust is lost at home, our politics is broken." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: If trust in our word is lost overseas, we may no longer be able to work effectively with friends and partners for mutual benefit – or even security. Unfortunately, that trust is being lost, and our reputation overseas has fallen because of our conduct." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: "And this is the Government that fought a referendum to “protect the Sovereignty of Parliament” and the sanctity of domestic law." #ifgjohnmajor

Major on PM: "He chose to ignore critical reports on his Ministers; rejected advice from his independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards – who resigned; and attempted but failed to overturn ...Report that condemned the behaviour of a Parliamentary colleague and friend."

Major: "The Prime Minister and our present Government not only challenge the Law, but also seem to believe that they, and they alone, need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions – call them what you will – of public life." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: "The charge that there is one law for the Government, and one for everyone else is politically deadly – and it has struck home. " #ifgjohnmajor

Major on restrictions on protest: "although they may be uncomfortable for any government – protest marches are a safety valve for free speech. Democracy should treat them with care." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: "If the power of the State grows, and the protections of the Law diminish, then the liberties of the individual fall. The Mother of Parliaments should not permit this." #ifgjohnmajor

Major on immigration policy: "We British are a kindly people. When appeals are made for those in distress – at home or abroad – the good heart of our nation responds with compassion and generosity." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: "In America, they build walls to keep migrants out. In Europe, they build camps to keep them in. Here, in the UK, the Government wishes to remove British citizenship from dual nationals, without any notice or right of appeal." #ifgjohnmajor

Major: "Of course if the numbers are too large this creates an appalling problem for local communities. But surely to seek sanctuary from an unbearable life cannot morally be treated as a crime?"#ifgjohnmajor

Major on Nolan and reforms to standards in public life: "It would be reassuring if the appointment of the guardians of ethics was fully independent and – where appropriate – new powers to initiate, investigate and report were put on a statutory basis." #ifgjohnmajor

Major calls on PM to agree to latest CSPL reforms: "it would help to regain the UK’s reputation as the standard for democracy; for fairness; for honesty; and for pragmatic commonsense in protecting our national interests" #ifgjohnmajor

Major: Govt creates own problems "It looks for enemies where there are none. Moreover, it then chooses the wrong enemies.. waging campaigns against the Civil Service and the BBC. In neither case is this wise – or justified – or in the Government’s own interests" #ifgjohnmajor

Major on attacks on civil service: The Civil Service is the support structure to government: treating it as a hostile “blob” which seeks to undermine the Government is both foolish and wrong" #ifgjohnmajor

Major on pol funding "The present funding of our democratic system leaves it prey to special interests. The Conservative Party is too dependent upon business and a small number of very wealthy donors. The Labour Party is in hock to trades unions, and a different cadre of donors"

Major on cash for honours: "It is a perception that corrupts our system. The Honours system is cheapened. And the political system is made to look corrupt. This damages democracy" #ifgjohnmajor

Major: "democracy depends upon Parliament and the Government upholding the values we have as individuals, and the trust we inspire as a nation. But these values cannot be partial, cannot be occasional, cannot be taken out and paraded for political convenience. They are eternal"

Qs now. Major asked why intervene now:

"not that it is immediate peril, but you take a brick out of the wall and then another and another and eventually it collapses" #ifgjohnmajor

Major on current PM: If Thatcher had behaved as PM is now she would have had Cab Sec coming round to say you cannot do that, then Willie Whitelaw, then'

No-one seems to be doing that in current Cabinet. #ifgjohnmajor

Major: If PM has been given that advice and it has been ignored then the people giving that advice should resign. If he has not been given that advice that is problem #ifgjohnmajor

Major: I don't know what the PM means by setting up an office of the prime minister, we already had one. It sounds a little like a gimmick. #ifgjohnmajor

Major: Think we have made a mistake in bringing in so many special advisers to No10. Should be employed on basis of experience. Need people who can say 'hang on, we have tried that' #ifgjohnmajor

Major: "The power of the PM is possibly too great if there is no self-restraint" #ifgjohnmajor

Major: I think there are reforms in Parliament needed. "I sometimes look at PMQs and it seems like a circus" #ifgjohnmajor

Q: Do you think PM should take responsibility and resign or be removed from office?
Major: also about those surrounding PM. If mistakes made on lockdown laws it is not just PM who is culpable, he should have been advised.

Q from @wizbates should any PM resign if knowingly misled Parliament

Major: "that has always been the case" #ifgjohnmajor

Major: If PM is shown to have deliberately lied to Parliament, not just made a mistake, it has always been the case that they should resign #ifgjohnmajor

Major asked what more Parliament can do to enforce politicians not misleading parliament:

Where people mislead, i think they ought to be called out but i don't know what else you can do.

When they deliberately mislead they ought to resign. #IFGJohnMajor

Major asked about 1990s sleaze: says distinction was it was individuals, often acting in 1980s, and he acted. His reason for setting up Nolan was to tackle it. #IFGJohnMajor

That concludes keynote with John Major. Full recording will be up on @instituteforgov website shortly.