Is the british government corrupt?

Question

please no yes or no answers. explain them fully. can you think of any examples of corruption in the british government. or scandal. ideas like the cash for honours thing please

Answer 1

It is a valid question and one the people and their representatives have to keep asking and re-asking. It is only by holding the government to account can democracy thrive.

To the particulars. It can be argued that the whole patronage system is a corrupting influence in British society. Nobody minds the lollipop lady who after 30 years on the same patrol gets awarded an MBE. What about the MPs who have slavishly followed the party whip in the hope of a Lordship in retirement or the high-ranking civil servant who lusts after a knighthood? The cash for honours is a return to the days of Llyod George, when the going rate was £10,000 for a peerage.

Another example would be the halting of the Serious Fraud Office's enquiry into British Aerospace and the Saudi slush-fund, on the grounds of national security. That is pure caving-in to corrupt practises because the Saudis have said if it went on, then they would cancel the contract for the new Typhoon fighter.

The proposed curb on the Freedom of Information Act, which would give a government department the right to refuse a request for information from a multiple enquirer (ie, journalists) on the grounds of expense is a blatant attempt to block access to information.

I would not say that the entire British Government are corrupt. That is an over-statement. But there are elements within all societies that prefer to escape examination and unfortunately those elements seem to have great influence at this time.

For a fortnightly update on corruption in the UK, I would recommend you subscribe to Private Eye. You will soon have a feel for Sleaze UK plc and how it works.

Answer 2

This is a question which cannot truly be answered by a yes or a no. It's like asking 'are all Welsh people good singers' or 'are all Muslims terrorists'. Of course they are not. Wrong question.

Every race and every government in the world is populated by individuals; many of these individuals are honorable and honest, others are not. But because they are human, all are open to greed for power, wealth, position or sex. We know that many do give in to temptation, and some of these have been and might well still be members of governments - in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

All we can do is hope and pray that voters will have the wisdom to chose the upright and honest ones, and that once elected, these will make decisions (personal as well as political), that will do no harm to our own country or to others.

Answer 3

All governments are corrupt to some extent or another. Most governments are pretty good though in spite of the small amount of corruption in them. I would say that the British are not corrupt unlike the Govt's of countries that have dictators and despots. The British have been doing what they can to live freely although not as well as in the U.S. I don't have much insight on the inner workings of the British Parliament let alone the other sections of the Govt but my opinion would be that they are good guys.

Answer 4

Hi, not to shock you but all government is a necessary evil... government is inherently 'corrupt.' If you think about it, anyone who holds will over anyone else has a motive, and thus we should suspect all who are in power. It's your responsibility, so to speak.

The United States founding fathers made it very clear that government is a necessary evil and should be kept in check by the population. Though democratic means a population should get what they ask for, ie. if they don't like what the government is doing, get rid of them. If they are barred from democratic means, raise arms against them. (the US has the right to bare arms for that reason, not to go hunting!).

So, is the British government corrupt, not likely, they are just government, which is a necessary evil. You can list various examples of corruption, scandal or any other strangeness you would like, but it amounts to nothing more than people trying to present their own agenda and idealizing what should be done on behalf of the people. If you don't like it, vote them out, they know the deal. The day that they deny you the right to vote them out, know your right to find whatever means to blow them out.

Answer 5

I can not recall the source (it was some time ago that I read it), but a piece of international academic research was carried out on world governments and the UK was found to be one of the least tainted of all. One very good example of how we stick to the rules is the issue of EU regulations; we seem to be the only EU country willing to penalise its businesses by rigidly adhering to EU regulations, whereas countries, particularly France and Italy, tend to ignore EU instructions if these are seen as likely to put their countries at a disadvantage.
The current 'cash for honours' matter is about a practise that has always existed (just not publicised like it is today!). In many ways it can be understood since if an individual wishes to ensure a political party is elected to form a government which reflects with the individual's beliefs, then donating/lending large amounts of cash might help that objective to be achieved. And, naturally, a grateful party will wish to reward such a benefactor... hence the so-called 'honours'. (In the US a political donor might receive a governmental post instead of, as is the apparent custom in the UK, a piece of worthless metal or a seat in the House of Lords.)
However, in this modern 'globalisation' world, if we are not allowed to elect our second chamber (House of Lords), then surely it is better to fill it with people who are wealthy through exercise of entrepreneurial skills, and who have extensive knowledge of international business, rather than to give places to those who hold their position in society through accident of birth.

Answer 6

All governments are corrupt to a certain extent. That is the nature of politics. Most third world countries(like INDIA), are soo corrupt that people do not have basic amenities, and human rights(especially women and minorities) are violated.

Answer 7

Every goverment is corrupt.Simple.All goverments are aiming for global domination and taking orders from higher up people.They dont care about the public because all we can do is kick them out.Its not as much as what the higher people can do.One form of corruption is TV.TV is the best way to get messages across to the public.TV brainwashes ur mind if u watch to much.I think i answered ur question.GOODBYE.

Answer 8

All governments are corrupt in some way shape or form. This is what happens when man tries to execute law and judgment. If we all obeyed the laws of God and the Bible we would be a lot better off.

http://www.handlethetruth.net

Answer 9

I think all governments are corrupt to a certain extent and will remain so as long as the people in government lie and abuse the power they are given.

Answer 10

yes. they are keeping us as members of the most corrupt organisation in the world the e.u. and they are wiping out the working class. "frenchi" export to us your union. and show us how its done.