Trust in politics, ever notice how it keeps coming up as an issue? In the past few weeks alone, we’ve had two stories that have likely eroded the public’s already limited faith in politicians: the outcome of the Chris Huhne trial, and the allegations surrounding Lord Rennard. These scandals may not have tipped the vote in Eastleigh, but Ukip’s strong performance there can probably be put down to a general dissatisfaction with the three main parties. As one Ukip supporter put it in a recent letter to the Times (£): “On so many issues they are no longer to be trusted…”
The cost to David Cameron of mistrust in politics could be severe. And it’s not just the Ukip effect: a recent YouGov poll found that 23 per cent of the public trust what “leading Labour politicians” say, whereas for “leading Conservative politicians” the figure reduces to 19 per cent. What’s at stake isn’t just votes – although that’s certainly the crux of it – but the possibility of a fair hearing in the first place. Conservatives can rattle on about Europe, immigration, welfare, whatever they like – but if the public doesn’t believe them, then it’s just so many words into the wind.
This is part of the reason why I’ve previously suggested – once, twice and more times – that David Cameron work on restoring trust in politics. And now the advice ought to take on even more urgency. As Paul Goodman suggested a couple of days ago, it’s unlikely that the groping allegations will remain restricted to the Liberal Democrats. Parliament may not quite burn down from the media and public opprobrium that will follow, but it’s another few shot-glasses of fuel for the flames. Fire-fighters ought to be in place.
Here, David Cameron has some strengths. He is, by many polls, more trusted than either his own party or than Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg. And he has shown before – particularly in the wake of the expenses scandal – that he can respond swiftly and sympathetically to public concerns. Indeed, the problem is not so much that Mr Cameron is an imperfect tribune for this message, but that he is an inconsistent one. As I pointed out a couple of weeks ago, he used to talk about trust in politics fairly regularly, but now that has dwindled to naught. The Government’s very welcome transparency drive has become the start and end of the matter.
So, what does all this mean in practice? Here are four quick, preliminary suggestions to set things rolling:
Should you have any other suggestions, please mention them in the comments section, below. If Mr Cameron can make it to the next election – this morning, Ladbrokes have odds of 5/1 that he will be deposed as Prime Minister this year – then it should be as Honest Dave.