YOU live in an institution. In fact, you live in a bunch of them. A country or state can only function with the support of other institutions.
Well-known institutions in the UK include the Westminster government, the monarchy, the BBC, and the civil service. Countries, well most of them anyway, state in their constitutions what the country stands for – and what it will not stand for. To make that ethical and moral commitment effective needs institutions. These are the pillars that hold up the state. Without them, the state or country cannot work.
Let’s take a brief tour of Britain’s essential institutions to see how well these are working, starting with Westminster. As part of another Brownhog Day, Labour has announced reform of the House of Lords, maybe, perhaps, sometime. While Labour is labouring to resist real change, the abuse of power continues unabated.
Following clear evidence of undue influence, we are told: “With immediate effect, Baroness Mone will be taking a leave of absence from the House of Lords in order to clear her name of the allegations that have been unjustly levelled against her. This is her decision.”
Sadly, the upper chamber will no longer resound to the honeyed tones of Baroness Mone as she is off to spend more time with her (mostly your) money. Context: She’s only spoken in the Lords on five occasions since 2015.
Besides, how does one “take leave of absence” from an institution that does not require attendance?
Now let’s look at the monarchy. The Sussexes have appeared on Netflix to explain what is wrong with the way the institution of the monarchy works. We learned of “unconscious racism” and “Empire 2.0”. The whole notion that someone is superior to others simply based on the bed in which they were born is repugnant to many people.
Nonetheless, the British state is deeply wedded to the institution. It is a mutual relationship. Westminster ministers use it to sanitise lousy legislation, and the exchequer covers the monarchy’s expenses.
I hold no brief for any of this nonsense. But, Harry and Meghan (or H&M as they prefer to be styled) did at least point out that change is needed. And they are right. Will it happen? I very much doubt it.
More likely, the institution will ostracise any who speak up. And life will carry on much as before. We’ll see.
Now, let’s turn to the BBC. Its boss has announced that the Beeb is going to be an internet-only “distributor” in the future. No need, perhaps, for all those huge antennae at Shotts, or anywhere else. Or for a cast of thousands in London. Instead, users will use an app to access BBC services. What’s that I hear? Huge cheers from the Scottish independence movement?
Like it or not, the Beeb has significant political influence. This explains why Jack Straw, then Labour home secretary, had control of broadcasting removed from the devolution settlement.
Right now, folks have little option. All “opt-in” to the Beeb whatever they want to watch or listen to and pay handsomely by means of a poll tax for the privilege. How effective will the BBC’s influence be if people have a real choice whether to “opt-in”? Or pay?
What happens when we are faced with a vast range of apps – all promising “news” services, for example. How many would opt to pay for BBC Scotland news, for instance?
Equally, there is now clear space for non-Unionist 24 hours news provision – “internet–only”.
Maybe even a “national” broadcaster.
This can only be liberating. For example, I host the TNT show on IndyLive every Wednesday. We’ve now aired more than 120 live shows, with a vast range of guests – some of whom would never be invited on the BBC – all done at minimal cost.
The other week the show featured a senior professor from Princeton University in the US, and last week, the inimitable singer, Iona Fyfe.
The Civil Service is another essential British institution. It is based on clear ethical principles. However, this moral base is wholly corrupted when it reports to an all-powerful executive, that holds Parliament in its thrall. So, it is no surprise to learn that when civil servants pointed out that Covid and other contracts were in violation of the rules, ministers overrode these objections. In short, the Government forced civil servants to behave against their ethical standards.
This is how institutions fail. Corruption from the inside is insidious, and almost always fatal. The best leave. When this happens, the country has little future.
This week’s guest on the TNT show is Glyndwr Jones. Join us for a view from Wales at 7pm on Wednesday
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel