Unlike some people I tend to think that British politicians are very talented and hard working people, la creme de la creme. They make it to the top of the greasy pole early in life, many having also found the time to become wealthy in the City, law, journalism and a dozen other areas of work. But why then when they retire do so many get jobs as directors of financial institutions and foreign holding companies that pay them so much?
Is it their business skills, their work ethic, their experience of running huge departments under intense pressure, their ability to defend their work on their feet in the House of Commons against fierce opposition? Or is it their contacts?
There is a simple way to find out, you can stop this system of vetting their jobs, regulating lobbying and all the rest. All that has to be done is to ban former politicians talking to current politicians about their new jobs. No quiet words, no subtle emails, no private chats, no lobbying at all.
Let la creme de la creme rise to the top in their new jobs on their obvious talents and stop the ugly rumours that they owe it all to who they know rather than what they know. After all, if they really are that good, it will not hurt their earning power at all.
https://jonty.substack.com/
There will always be a glass ceiling for most of us peasants which we must respect.
I didn't go to a public school so I have to be a factor 20 better than a toff consistently to be heard and that is hard work.
There are certain clubs & societies you need to pay a membership fee annually to and if you cannot afford it you are no longer in that crowd. It' buys access, it is subtle but effective. No allegations of racism just you cannot afford it with all your other financial commmitments.
Most aren't creme de la creme just have deeper pockets so greater access to the movers and shakers, and they know them personally which helps.
I don't think you will ever stop the privileged set but nice to dream for those of us on the outside.