Thread by @antoguerrera

BREAKING. Sir John 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.”
@instituteforgov

Sir John Major: “The charge that there is one law for the Government, and one for everyone else is politically deadly.

Our democracy requires that the truth and the Law should be respected and obeyed – above all, by the Government. But it seems that it is not always respected”

Sir John Major: “At home, we take democracy for granted: we should not.”

“It is far more complex than simply having the right to vote. In many countries, there is a widespread discontent of the governed, and democracy is in retreat. Nor is it in a state of grace in the UK.”

Sir John Major: “Democracy is challenged by protest groups or new – and more extreme – political movements.  Even our great allies in the United States are facing populist attacks on their democracy.”

“We should beware:  when America sneezes, we often catch their cold.”

Sir John 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. If any of that delicate balance goes astray – as it has – as it is – …”

“…our democracy is undermined.  Our Government is culpable, in small but important ways, of failing to honour these conventions. Where Governments fall short, candour is the best means of binding up support.”

Sir John Major: “The loss of public trust can be swift and unforgiving. We have seen that playing out in recent weeks. Trust in politics is at a low ebb, eroded by foolish behaviour, leaving a sense of unease about how our politics is being conducted.”

Sir John Major: “Too often, Ministers have been evasive, and the truth has been optional.”

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. Misleading replies to questions invite disillusion. Outright lies breed contempt”

Major: “Lies are just not acceptable. To imply otherwise is to cheapen public life, and slander the vast majority of elected politicians. But some do – and their behaviour is corrosive. This tarnishes both politics and the reputation of Parliament. It is a dangerous trend.” 🇬🇧

John Major: “Sometimes now PMQs look like a circus”

Sir John Major: “If lies become commonplace, truth ceases to exist.  What and who, then, can we believe?  The risk is nothing and no-one. Lies can become accepted as fact, which – as The Speaker has pointed out – has consequences for policy and for reputation.”

Major: “That is why deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers – and must always be so. If trust in the word of our leaders in Parliament is lost – then trust in Government will be lost too. At No10, the Prime Minister and officials broke lockdown laws.”

Sir John Major: “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.”
#PartyGate

Major: “No Government can function properly if its every word is treated with suspicion. 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.”🇬🇧

Major: “If trust in our word is lost overseas, we may no longer be able to work effectively with partners for mutual benefit or security. Sadly, that trust is being lost, and our reputation overseas has fallen because of our conduct. We are weakening our influence in the world.”

Sir John Major: “And when Ministers attack or blame foreign governments, to gain populist support at home, we are not taken seriously. Megaphone diplomacy merely increases hostility overseas. International trust may not be easy to regain.”

John Major: “Our way of life is built around the maintenance of Law.  The public expects our Government to work within the Law. It was unprecedented when this Government broke the Law by proroguing Parliament, to avoid debates on Brexit that might not have gone as they wished.”

John Major: “There have also been attempted assaults on civil rights – not all of them successful. The Government briefed, but rowed back from, a serious attack on Judicial Review: but the intent was there and may return.”

John Major: “Here, in the UK, the Government wishes to remove British citizenship from dual nationals, without any notice or right of appeal. […] It proposes to criminalise the migrants themselves. We should search our souls before doing this.”