Baksheesh

So a political party fundraiser has had to resign for alluding that everything is a little bent. That you can buy your way into the the office of Prime Minister with dirty money. Obtain the services of the highest public office with a bit of baksheesh.

How did this even make it to the news? Is media shock a part of maintaining the pretence that everything isn't bent?

Forgive my pen a wry smile here. I love it when a politician talks dirty. Like, "why do the electorate not trust us?", "we must rebuild trust with the people", and feigning offence at not being trusted in the first place.

Come on. Politicians are a necessary evil. Without them the strong would simply take what they want (which they kind of do anyway). With political representation we at least lay down our swords and parley - or someone does on our behalf - but that doesn't mean it's clean.

To restore trust, don't try to give a dishonest impression that there is honesty and high-minded values among politicians and technocrats, but be genuinely honest and open about how murky and dirty it really is. Because, actually, we know anyway, which is why we don't trust you when you poison the relationship with deceit.

Don't pretend that the money doesn't matter. It patently does.