Davy Jones Consultancy

Is there a moral crisis gripping the nation?

David Cameron claims that the recent riots show there is. Many on the Left have responded that there is not.

I rarely agree with David Cameron. But on whether or not there is a moral crisis – I agree with him. BUT, for me this is not about the lack of morals of the rioters. It is about the immorality of the socio-economic and political systems, and of the rich and powerful who dominate them.

I have long believed that radicals in this country have greatly under-estimated how important morality is in shaping people’s views on politics and public services. It has tended to be the right-wing that has promoted traditional morals to support their political stance.

Bankers!

But let us look at some of the key crises of recent years to illustrate the real moral decline. First up, international bankers ! These people, on astronomical salaries and jaw-dropping bonuses acted so irresponsibly and incompetently that they almost brought the whole world economic system to its knees. As it is, millions are suffering round the world as a direct result of their actions.

Remarkably, despite all the early condemnation, overwhelmingly they have got off scot free. Only a handful of them have been jailed. Few have lost their jobs. Most are back to business as usual – including lavish bonuses. And it goes without saying that it is the bankers who are explaining how the only solution is for the poor, the vulnerable and those in the public sector to pay for the crisis caused by….the bankers.

Politicians!

Second, politicians ! The parliamentary expenses crisis revealed that dozens of our elected MPs, including former Ministers, had been falsifying claims for houses and expenses. A few have been jailed. Some have lost their jobs. Some are even now leading the campaigns for tougher sentences for rioters, harsher regimes for those on benefits, and reductions in pay and pensions for all public servants, except of course….MPs.

Media!

Third, the media ! We know from the News of the World scandal just what depths sections of the mainstream media are prepared to go to sell papers. And we know that the police and leading politicians had an extremely cosy, if not corrupt, relationship with them. And the chorus of hate aimed at young people and the dispossessed is led of course…..by these same newspapers.

What is clear in each case is that there is an absolute collapse in the morality of the ruling elite – bankers, politicians, media magnates - and a grotesque hypocrisy in the rich and the powerful as they lash out at those who copy their selfish, irresponsible and disgusting behaviour.

Footballers!

Premiership footballer Sami Nasri has left (my beloved) Arsenal this week after being offered £180,000 per week to play for Manchester City. That is more in a week than the average UK nurse earns in nearly 10 years. It has taken a US multi-billionaire (Warren Buffett) to point out how ludicrous it is that he pays less tax proportionately than those who clean his office.

So, overall I feel that there is indeed a profoundly shocking moral crisis at the heart of the establishment here and internationally: greed, inequality, hypocrisy and corruption, with all the death, destruction and tragedy that they bring, are now seen by these people as entirely normal and acceptable.

In comparison, a few riots, however unfortunate, are frankly small beer.

Sad note

Last week, an outstandingly brave and innovative trade unionist, Kenny Bell of UNISON in the North East, sadly died of cancer. Here is a moving tribute to him by Hilary Wainwright: http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-loss-to-living-legacy-kenn...