What we owe to each other

摘要

I have, I must admit, in my time had some harsh things to say about our politicians. But as I write this piece I am experiencing the shock of hearing that someone one knows has been murdered - I am talking about Sir David Amess MR It is many years since I worked with David, several decades in fact, but I have to say that my own experience accords with what many people have been saying about him - a kind, approachable man, an exemplary constituency MP, and, over those several decades, someone who devoted his life to public service. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. Our democratic system is reliant on people who are willing to put themselves forward, stand up for their opinions, shoulder the opprobrium that sometimes comes their way - increasingly through social media - and then invite their electorate to decide whether or not they should keep their job.