The harsh reality of politics is that it is a contact sport. But it is also a team one. Having marched his backbenchers — many against their will — to the top of the “Save Owen Paterson” hill, Boris Johnson sent them back down again.
Yesterday evening’s debate in the House of Commons on parliamentary standards was a case in point. It inevitably proved to be a difficult one for the Government, largely of its own making.
That the Prime Minister failed to turn up is disappointing and there was understandable frustration from within his own backbenches. The Conservatives did not invent second jobs or conflicts of interest but its actions over the last few days have brought the political class into disrepute.
It is particularly unfortunate timing given that much of the public and media had been contemplating how things could be done differently in the wake of the killing of Sir David Amess and the death of James Brokenshire.
Ultimately, sunlight is the best disinfectant. If the Conservatives want to rid themselves of the “sleaze” tag, now is the time to be transparent about what work extra-parliamentary activities they believe are and are not appropriate.
