Integrity of politicians is important, perhaps even paramount.

However, it does make doing business with countries where those in charge are corrupt a bit of an issue. In 1997, Robin Cooke promised an ethical foreign policy. When, a few years alter, he concluded this was not possible, he resigned from government. A honourable man. I might not have agreed with him on many things, but when he died, we lost a statesman.

So... do we have an ethical policy and refuse to barter with crooks when appeasing them is in our national interest, or do we accept you can't make a mud pie without getting your hands dirty?

I prefer honesty, but at times I feel I am being idealistic rather than practical.

Oh, integrity of politicians. Some may recall The Lords has been sitting all night sessions lately in order to filibuster the government. All night, except a 5 mins recess in the middle of night. Why? in order to call it two sessions instead of one, so they can claim two days attendance fees.

Makes you proud to be British eh?


Of course he lied to us. I get a lot of mileage from the time he shook my hand and said "Good morning." it was 2.00pm. The bugger couldn't even get that right.