The Spectator’s Notes | 28 February 2013

On the BBC television news on Monday night, the first three items concerned alleged misbehaviour by the famous — Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Lord Rennard and Vicky Pryce, the ex-wife of the ex-Cabinet minister, Chris Huhne. I begin to wonder if an accidental revolution is in progress. There is no revolutionary political doctrine, just a wish to believe that anyone in any position of power or fame is corrupt and should be exposed. Sexual misbehaviour is probably the most fun way of doing this, but stuff about money or lying works too. In theory, we should welcome this. The accusations often turn out to be true. Power corrupts. But actually there is something vile about it. It is to do with the righteousness of those doing the exposing. They speak as if any sort of corporate concealment is wicked. Anyone who has worked in any organisation comes across people in positions of authority who abuse it, but are basically good at their job. They may command real respect and affection. Their work may be of great value. It is rarely absolutely obvious that they should be exposed for misbehaviour. Take the man who is an inspiring leader, but is sometimes drunk and lecherous, or the woman who is a superbly efficient manager, but is horrible to younger women. In such cases, most organisations would try their best to cover up/mitigate the faults rather than punish the culprits with career death. Often they would be right to do so. ‘Whistleblowers’ will sometimes be genuinely brave truth-tellers but they may equally well be people with grudges, liars or narcissists who want to bask in a public culture which celebrates them. By being completely merciless, we turn people in power into mere fighters to survive. They therefore lead very badly.

Mario Monti’s party got under 10 per cent of the vote in the Italian elections, which shows how many Italians want to be ruled by Brussels.