Letter: Public Distrust in Politicians Is a Major Issue

Published on: 29 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 29 Mar, 2026

By Bernard Quoroll

In response to: A Consultation Is Not a Binding Referendum

As a former election returning officer who has continued to observe and monitor elections in many other countries for more than twenty years, sadly, I do believe that our own democracy is deeply technically flawed and could learn lessons from other polities less captured by their own histories.

Among its many defects, is a propensity to encourage the worst kinds of tribalism in a mistaken belief that those who are not visibly onside must in some sense be fair game. That includes making untested, pompous, assumptions about the motives of others in order to condemn them. George Orwell would be proud.

It is one of the reasons why I think there is a pressing need to “do politics differently” especially at local level.

Politics is not going to go away but sadly, politicians at all levels seem to so lack insight that they can only continue to double down on behaviours which have generated growing public distrust and a mistaken belief in siren voices. It is one of the most pressing issues of our time.

For the record, I am not, nor ever have been, a member or adherent of any political party, or as I prefer to call it “tribe”.

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