Taking the Michael

Michael Martin's performance in the Commons yesterday has lead several commentators to note his passing the buck to anyone who stood still for long enough to catch it - the police were to blame, the Serjeant at Arms was to blame, but he, Gorbals Mick was a paragon of virtue and an example to us all. (I made that last bit up).

Martin has been heavily criticised for not shouldering the blame himself, but I think those who would cast the first stone need to be much more culturally sensitive. Martin is from Western Scotland, and in the nether regions of Glasgow, politicians have been brought up to avoid responsibility for everything and anything that goes wrong. It's almost bred into them. It's is where the phrase "political accountability" comes from - it means accountability for things that go well, and things that go well only. Martin is merely expressing his native political culture.

So take your English preconceptions of how politicians should behave back to Blighty and have a care for the way other people run their affairs.

Thank you.

Comments

[Cincinnatus]

And we Sassenachs forget that Charles I's attempt to arrest the five members is an episode of English history. Why should it have any resonance with Michael Martin, or with the Prime Minister?

[Sam Duncan]

That would be Scottish socialist politicians. There are other kinds around these parts. Although they don't win very much.

[Bishop Hill]

Yes, in Scotland there are a number of socialist parties to choose from, but precious little else.