Don't Do As I Do, Just Do As I Say: Restoring Integrity to a Polluted Parliament
Article
OOPS! Integrity ACTUALLY matters in politics.
Has our political system become polluted with institutional hypocrisy and our politicians become arrogant doing what they want because they believe the rules don’t apply to them?
Integrity matters in politics because it is the foundation of public trust, and as voters we have unspoken expectations of our decision makers. In practice, we can only judge political integrity through the behaviour of our political representatives i.e. their willingness to be truthful, acceptance of scrutiny, and ultimately act consistently with the principles they claim to uphold. In summary, they show us that they live by, and uphold the same rules, and courtesies we all live by. It means being honest, even when it is not convenient, when no one is looking, when it is not expedient or popular.
• Politicians who act with integrity are more willing to explain decisions, admit mistakes, and accept scrutiny.
• Political leaders influence the ethical standards expected throughout public institutions and ultimately shape public confidence in government.
• Leaders with integrity are less likely to flout the rules, misuse public funds, accept bribes, or favour friends and donors over the wider community.
• Voters need confidence that elected representatives will keep their promises, tell the truth, and act in the public interest rather than for personal gain.
• Democratic systems rely on people believing elections are fair and that those in power are accountable for their actions.
• When people trust their leaders, they are more likely to support difficult decisions and comply with laws and regulations.
• Integrity helps ensure decisions are based on what benefits the country over time rather than what delivers short-term political advantage.
We are not talking about perfection, integrity does not require perfection. We are talking about a system that does not punish moral inconsistency. Election 2026, our vote is our power, and their performance review or score card.
