DINESH RAMBALLY

IN AN ERA marked by political scandals, fraud in state enterprises and a general erosion of trust in public institutions, the concept of integrity in public life appears to be an increasingly elusive ideal. The Integrity Commission could easily be disbanded. Scepticism abounds, with many asserting that integrity is a rare commodity in the realm of politics and governance. This sentiment raises important questions about the state of public life and the extent to which integrity is genuinely practised by those in positions of power.

One can only imagine how the ordinary citizen would become dismayed when reading the headline of a Sunday newspaper reporting on the legal briefs given to the First Gentleman and all the other trappings bestowed. So far-reaching is the revelation that the writer in a Guardian article dared not put his or her name and instead the author is referred to as “Investigations Desk”.

The question of legal but unethical arises. There is the common view that high-ranking supporters of the government would be rewarded and clearly ethics or perceived ethics is tailored to suit.

Defining integrity

Integrity, in its essence, is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. In the context of public life, it extends beyond personal conduct to encompass the transparency, accountability and ethical standards of individuals in positions of authority. The public must demand a premium of our leaders to uphold these values and to serve the greater good rather than personal interests.

Perceived lack of integrity

The prevailing sentiment that integrity in public life is non-existent is fuelled by numerous high-profile scandals, cover-ups and instances of corruption that have come to light in recent years. The political bribery cases and revelations of corporate malfeasance have all contributed to a widespread perception that those in power are more concerned with self-preservation than with serving the public interest. The public purse is not being safeguarded.

When there were accusations against Franklin Khan in the Patrick Manning regime, he had to step aside to clear his name. The late Marlene McDonald was fired to clear her name. But what about PM Rowley who is on his second or third investigation by the Integrity Commission?

Political expediency vs integrity

In the pursuit of electoral victories or policy agendas, politicians seem to find themselves compromising on principles, making it difficult to maintain a stance rooted in integrity. In the current model of governance, political expediency apparently takes precedence. Good optics, good governance, transparency, accountability and responsibility are all mute concepts in the current reality.

Institutional failures:

The erosion of integrity in public life is not solely the fault of individuals; it is often rooted in systemic failures within institutions. Inadequate checks and balances, weak regulatory frameworks and a lack of enforcement mechanisms create an environment conducive to corruption and