New Year messages traditionally speak of a new start and a new beginning – “ring out the old and ring in the new”.
After a torrid year when people seem to have lost trust in previously cherished public institutions such as the BBC, the police, the national press and of course politicians, a new start will be more than welcome. The year ends with the extraordinary story of a police officer being arrested for allegedly giving false evidence in the “plebgate” scandal, which brought down former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell MP. It’s notable that previously most people assumed the policeman was telling the truth and the politician was not.
I am acutely aware of the damage these kinds of revelations do to our society. Democracy works best when people believe public institutions can be relied upon to be honest, accurate and fair in their dealings. Once trust is lost it’s very difficult to restore. According to the polls the BBC has gone from an 82 per cent trust rating to 47 per cent in the past few years.
Of course the vast number of people involved in public service are honest and hard working and do jobs which are essential to maintaining social cohesion in our communities. For myself I have always tried to be open and honest with my constituents. Indeed, my views are forthright and well known. Some agree with me, but I accept that those who disagree have a right to do so and a right to make their views known. I do my level best to help the people who come to me whatever their views and that’s the way it should be.
My fervent wish is that 2013 is the year when the job of restoring public trust gets under way. It will not be easy and it will not be quick, but for all our sakes it must be done.
Best wishes for the New Year.