IF there was ever any suggestion that the sexual harassment scandal was a particularly Westminster, rather than Holyrood, problem, then it did not last long. As we know, the crisis started in Hollywood, but it quickly spread to theatre and television, then Westminster and now Holyrood – a demonstration, if one were still needed, that sexual harassment, and abuse of power, is a problem that exists up and down the country, irrespective of boundaries and regardless of party.
The Holyrood allegations have been emerging piece by piece. First, the childcare minister Mark McDonald resigned and apologised after being accused of inappropriate language and behaviour. Then the Labour MSP Monica Lennon said she was groped at a social event in front of witnesses. It is also reported that the SNP MSP Willie Coffey was the subject of a complaint about unsolicited attention. Mr Coffey denies the allegation.
Obviously, the complaints must be subject to due process – that is a principle that must apply whatever happens. But the common themes and patterns that have emerged over the last few weeks are depressing. The only up side is that they may yet usher in the profound change that is needed in our national culture and practice, starting right at the top at Westminster and Holyrood.
However, even now – despite everything – there are still signs that not everyone is convinced, with some tending to see the scandal in terms of political fortunes and reshuffles rather than something more profound. Yes, the scandal signals serious trouble for the Conservative Party and the possible long-term survival of the UK Government, just as sleaze did for John Major in the 1990s. But it is self-evidently not just about the Conservatives – it is about the way that male and female relationships are structured in politics, as well as a lack of scrutiny and the tendency of whips to store up information for further use rather than act on it, and these are factors that affect every party.
It has not helped that the working lives of politicians are still not female friendly. It has improved in recent years, but much of the lifestyle is still based around bars and late nights. It may now be time to demand that politics undergoes the kind of change that other professions experienced years ago and that parliaments go alcohol-free.
We also need, as most senior politicians now appear to recognise, a truly independent system that allows and supports people to come forward. In the words of the Labour MP Dawn Butler, we need a process where you do not have to be brave for justice to be done, the problem simply has to be dealt with.
In practice, what this has to mean is a change to what Theresa May will describe in her speech to the CBI tonight as a culture of respect. But it will also have to mean a monitoring and disciplinary structure, at Westminster and Holyrood, that is staffed by specialists and, most importantly, independent of party officials.
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