A lion in decline

Scandal and incompetence have become hallmarks of Britain's public sector

This is an expanded version of my column in today’s Times (£).

Britain, by common consent, is broken. What’s broken it, however, is a fundamental collapse of leadership at all levels.

Leadership sets goals, inspires others, takes tough decisions and holds itself accountable for its failures. It sets an example for others in society to follow in behaving with integrity, responsibility and trustfulness.

None of that is currently the case.

This has become a problem with mainstream politics and culture across the west. Coerced cultural conformity has become the norm among its elites. Statesmen — men and women of stature, who rise above pursuing their own advantage to serve the best interests of their nation, and who stick to their principles despite all setbacks and brickbats — are thin on the ground. Politicians tend to follow the herd, promise bread and circuses with jam tomorrow, and then blame the public for turning against them.

In Britain, this process of cultural demoralisation and decline is the most advanced. Despite this, by virtue of its historic cultural power — and the global reach of the English language — wherever Britain goes today, the rest of the west will eventually follow. So what’s happening there should provoke concern.