British lessons in how to quit
The resignation by the speaker of the House of Commons on Tuesday, which came soon after Britain’s upper house suspended two lords for offering to amend laws in return for money, is yet another reminder that Greece and its political representatives still have a long way to go and a great deal to learn from the political cultures in other countries. This country has become a stranger to political sensibility. Greece’s politicians do not hesitate to come up with novel distinctions between what is legal and what is moral, in a bid to justify what is ultimately quite unjustifiable. Stepping down from office is perhaps the ultimate act of assuming one’s political responsibility and any politician considering such a move should not wait until the final negative opinion poll confirms his or her worst fears. There is no doubt that the lack of any notion of political sensibility among Greece’s politicians has contributed a great deal to the complete lack of credibility that currently dogs our political system.
