Integrity in Politics - who had it / does anyone still have it / did it ever exist?

[Mrsmunchofmunchington]

Irrespective of party who do you think was or is a politician of genuine convictions and honesty, prepared to stand up for what they believe in for the benefit of the country rather than say anything to get the ultimate job as either a minister or PM?

Oh I see interesting. I might read some books about her.

I have to say I LOVE, I mean LOVE people who stick to their principles, and who aren't also hypocritical (say one thing in public, do one thing when no one I looking) or bullies (bulldoze their way into getting things done, put down other groups).

I actually think it's vanishingly rare that these people get into positions of power though because invariably they aren't concerned with power.

There's an enormous rot - I do think it comes down to people being clever on paper but lacking social intelligence. Plus making stupid choices under pressure.

I never understood Thatchers comment that there is no such thing as society though. I mean there literally is, there are local councils who we pay to take the bins away through taxes, how is that not society?

Havent voted in over 15 years. My hackles go up at the thought of giving a vote for any of them cretins. Dont get me started on tactical votes which i find utterly distasteful.

Our politicians are a mirror of society. Its a huge popularity contest which therefore represents the thoughts, actions and beliefs of the majority of our population. How sad is that

John Smith
Gordon Brown
Robin Cook
Mo Mowlam
Kenneth Clarke
Michael Heseltine
Michael Foot
Neil Kinnock
Yvette Cooper
Ed Balls

Also, Chris Mullins , instrumental in freeing the Birmingham Six and Guildford 4 despite the hostility. Excellent journalism and politicking combined

I think Rosie Duffield needs a mention. She spoke out about women’s rights and the reality of sex to her detriment from her own party.

I've nodded along with most of the nominations, and would add David Blunkett and Alan Johnson to the names from the Blair government. Genuine, decent, principled and pretty capable.

Absolutely. Took enormous guts and integrity to speak up for what’s right at huge cost to herself, when almost everyone else was lying for their own protection.

Agreed. And she has been vindicated as the tide of opinion has turned on trans issues.

This is a heartening thread. I'm impressed that so many people are able to separate the concept of integrity from their own political preferences, as I had thought the capacity to do that no longer existed among most of society.

I agree with all the names so far (except Yvette Cooper!). Can't really think of any more to add.

Paddy Ashdown maybe?

Erm but didn’t John Major have an affair with Edwina Curry for 4 years? He wasn’t that squeaky clean!

Although I agree he seems very statesman like now compared to Politicians of today!

Jeremy Corbyn
Tony Benn
Dennis Skinner
Mo Mowlam
Rosie Duffield

i can’t really think of any Tories, maybe Theresa May or Rory Stewart.

Dare I ask what about current politicians of the day?

David Lammy strikes me as someone with integrity mainly on racial equality where he will stand his ground.

I was thinking something along the lines of this thread this morning, how it didn’t surprise me that it would be Mandelson, and how some people seem more corruptible because of being star-struck by wealth and wanting to be around it / have a bit of it. And I was thinking that while I’d much rather live under Blair as PM than Thatcher because of their policies, he has some of that vibe and she didn’t.

Is that a joke? He thinks men can have cervixes!! He is 100% in it for himself, do some research on him.

Peter Mandelson has never been a clean politician. I have a lot of time for him, because he is a political genius, but he's been fired from every important job he was doing superbly because his version of getting the job done has always involved dealing with tainted sources. He has acknowledged that he is a sucker for the high life, and he's clearly great adult company, clever, funny, gossipy and well connected. He has done a spectacular job as ambassador to the US IMO. There are jobs that need doing that require a nose peg. But the Peter Mandelson's keep a lot of doors open informally, and very often, those are important.

David Lammy is an idiot in comparison.

In the - I think - non-partisan spirit of this thread, and because I genuinely admired him, I’d nominate Roy Mason.

A true working class Labour conviction politician. He was firm in his beliefs about helping those who needed and deserved help. But he wasn’t dogmatic. And he could never be disloyal: he told the SDP to fuck off when they came knocking for him.

Most significantly, he had an abhorrence of political violence and stamped on the IRA. His time as NI Secretary paved the way for Major and Mowlam to broker peace.

I think Ed Davies has integrity. He's the walking embodiment of #bekind however. But he'd not waver from that for all the tea in China.

I had forgotten Roy Mason, but yes, a man to respect.

Davey ! I swear I typed Davey!

Actually I think the rare thing is someone who rises to the top, is effective, and yet still maintains their integrity.

There are probably scores of people who enter politics with integrity but they can't get anything done, nor influence others enough to gain real power.

Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Benn, Mo Mowlam, Robin Cook, John Smith.

He did a fascinating interview with Alastair and Rory on the Leading podcast. Well worth listening to.

Yes. Very true. How politicians can climb the greasy pole and happily spout shit they don’t agree with to keep going upwards is beyond me. Nearly all lose their decency along the way.

What I find really depressing are the entry level no-marks, of all parties, who sit on local councils just as a step to selection for a Westminster seat or some other opportunity.

Local politics is generally grubbier than national politics.