MPs; hard-working representatives or selfish sleazeballs?

Throughout the history of UK politics, scandals have always occurred. However, in recent years the number of scandals surrounding Members of Parliament (MPs) have become more and more prevalent.

Although MPs are human and are therefore guaranteed to make mistakes, I believe that they should uphold their job with a certain level of professionalism as, at the end of the day, they run our country.

So, in this article, I will be bringing light to the some of the recent disasters that go against the expected standards.

In the 1960s the number scandals recorded was only three. In the 2010s the number of major events caused by MPs putting Parliament in a bad light was 25. These events included bribes, lies and sexual harassment which completely undermines what Parliament stands for.

Not only do these events cause havoc, they also waste time which could have been invested elsewhere. Scandals such as Matt Hancock’s affair which took place during the COVID-19 Pandemic, a time when the Health Secretary’s full commitment was vital in order to keep the people safe, wasted time that lead to unprofessional decisions being made, leading to the deaths of loved ones.

Politicians have also been using their power and taking advantage of it, causing outrage and unpopularity. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was involved in Partygate. Not only did he go against the rules he created, but he also mocked the thousands of people whose lives were restricted for months upon end.

However, it is important to remember that the vast majority of MPs conduct themselves professionally and ethically.

It is worth noting, like any other large institution, that the UK Parliament is not immune to misconduct. But also like any other institutions there must be a process to investigate allegations. Those found to have engaged in serious misconduct should face severe consequences such as suspension, expulsion, or even criminal charges.

It is also important to note that media coverage of such scandals can sometimes be disproportionate, and that one, or a few, individuals who engage in misconduct should not be taken as a representative of the entire group.

To conclude, I believe that Parliament will remain beset by scandals unless serious measures of policing are introduced. However, these scandals are a result of human nature - we will have to accept them as part of politics.