By Dr Stelios Platis*
It’s fairly possible that within the subsequent few days we will come to see the stepping down of UK’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, for holding events at Quantity 10, in the course of the nationwide lockdown within the UK.
A practical vibrant democracy is one which operates on the idea that the votes that acquired you into workplace, can on the similar time be the votes that take away you from workplace.
Clear and accountable democracies don’t in any manner dilute the important thing precept that parliament represents the need of the folks, and the folks or the “demos” will maintain elected politicians to account for deviating from the commitments earlier than moving into workplace, or deceptive or deceiving the folks.
One other instance of the democratic course of working in the UK was the convictions of Members of Parliament for bills fraud, Denis MacShane (Labour) was jailed for six months on 23 December 2013 for bills fraud, after admitting submitting 19 pretend receipts amounting to £12,900, making him the fifth MP to get a jail sentence on account of the scandal.
David Chaytor one other bills offender, David Chaytor was handed the longest sentence of any of the MPs caught up within the scandal – 18 months.
Mr Chaytor – like the opposite less-than-honourable members– was taken to court docket for false accounting fees. The case in opposition to him revolved round £18,000 value of bills which he was discovered to have falsely claimed from the taxpayer.
Corruption could also be a phrase that’s thrown round by many, however what is obvious is that throughout Europe, France, the Netherlands, Germany when a “mistaken” has been dedicated inside parliament or the federal government, by elected politicians, a “proper” is completed.
A scrutiny committee by different elected politicians, an unbiased investigation by a member of the judiciary, or questions contained in the elected chamber directed in direction of the Prime Minister, President, Minister or MP who has been accused of wrongdoing.
The findings are then made public, and if the actions are legal then the police are concerned, and the case is heard in court docket with the misdemeanour being punished with a legal sentence.
Now let’s take a look at the Republic of Cyprus. With the plethora of political scandals which have plagued the Republic within the final 10 years (at the least), when has a single politician ever supplied, or have been pushed to supply, an sincere and clear response to allegations of corruption?
The so known as “golden passports” scandal which was broadcast throughout the globe and named excessive profile politicians in Cyprus, together with our very personal President, ought to have been the catalyst to a sequence of resignations and a transparent try to reform the best way we conduct ourselves.
Can we truthfully say that we’ve learnt from these scandals? Our banking system was dismembered, working and retired folks misplaced their financial savings in the course of the Laiki Financial institution collapse, or the Co-Op Financial institution (Sinergatiki) failure and we’ve nonetheless not seen one individual prosecuted for these failures.
Not one individual has been prosecuted, and there appears to be concern or trepidation from the media and public in Cyprus to debate and maintain to account correctly even public officers who’re discovered responsible of misconduct.
Within the UK the controversy over the No.10 events in the course of the lockdown has been sustained and a catalyst in direction of the Prime Minister successfully coming beneath a barrage of assaults from his personal get together, which is able to most definitely result in his exit from workplace.
What we want now in Cyprus is a clean paper, we have to begin from the start and reform the best way during which public officers both elected or appointed view their duties and obligations.
The folks of Cyprus should cease searching for favours and “fast options”, however quite study to observe the rule of regulation. We’d like a simpler system of presidency each at native and nationwide ranges, which inspires extra youthful folks, ladies, skilled and folks from a extra various background to begin working for the totally different ministries and public our bodies, in order that we are able to encourage higher international direct funding.
We’d like a State that values arduous work and advantage above that of favour and connection. Let’s study from others as to how they function, however maintain true to ourselves. We have to do higher and our legislators should work for us and hearken to the folks extra. Its time to repair Cyprus.
* Economist (PhD Cambridge) and Compliance Advisor