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Anthony Barnett

9 October 2007 - 2:30pm

This is very interesting. There is a good account of the scandal over Elizabeth Filkin in Peter Oborne's new book, The Triumph of the Political Class. One shift here if from politicians in Britain being obliged not to mislead the Commons and today not "knowingly" misleading it - quite a get-out clause! After all, you are not innocent if you do not "knowingly" break the law. My feeling is quite different from the direction of this discussion. It is a bit absurd to make lies illegal. They are clearly wrong but making laws about everything creates jobs for lawyers. The issue is this: How can we have a truthful politics? This demands a truthful press and media as well as truthful politicians. it might even call for truthful citizens. For example, what about being truthful about risks and about screw-ups? How about being truthful about difficulties when this does not sell papers or make a 'good story'? We also want to avoid just 'blaming them'. Anyway, these are just first thoughts, and we will link to this from OurKingdom Anthony