Unlocking Issues of trust

Do you trust the Government?

Daisy Barrow

The Government supposedly, should be a ‘world class’ institution. They have the responsibility of running this country, socially, economically and are accountable for the welfare of its citizens. Thus, having the power to improve the lives of everyone in a way that makes people and the country better off, without making someone worse off. But how far do we trust this?

The United Kingdom is a developed, first-world country in the G7 – a group of seven leading countries of the free world- with the British Conservative Party being the world’s most successful party in terms of election victories and length of time in office. So perhaps, in our Conservative’s government perspective– they are world-class.

Yet despite this, sometimes people are worse off due to the decisions made by the government, which makes you begin to question their priorities. With such high levels of trust being placed in their hand, comes even more responsibility – a truly ‘world class’ strength. At a time that marvels a year of uncertainty, we need to pause and reflect. Do we trust them? Who can we trust?

Recently, there has been lots of debate and discussion over the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. We first went into lockdown in March 2020, which many say was too late. With competing responsibilities and difficulties of the job could this of been handled more responsibly? Had we looked to other countries, who had dealt with outbreaks of a similar nature before, we could have reduced the spread; arguably the priority was the economy over the welfare of the country. As well as this, border controls have been too loose allowing the spread of new variants. One of the large government actions was Track and Trace – a £37 billion scheme to control the spread which had a problematic rollout. What angered most was the lack of transparency and clarity during the times where truth was needed for understanding of what was happening within the country. The decision making by the Government lacks ‘world class’ qualities as they failed to gain the public’s reassurance and trust with their actions.

During difficult times we look to strong leadership; much reported over the news and media within the country publicised the actions of Dominic Cummings and the response of the Government. Cummings, Boris Johnson’s chief advisor, in late March drove 260 miles to see his parents despite the national lockdown as well as his wife being ill at the time. Following this, he was not removed from his position but rather was excused. When those who set the rules do not follow them many begin to question their integrity, which is evident here. Is this ‘world class’ behaviour?

Therefore, here you see a limit to world-class. If you are unable to trust the government both in their priorities and efficiency, then doubts surge through the country about those who run it. Being world-class is more than a title, rather a responsibility and role which a lack of integrity begins to degrade the value of.

As of 21^st March 2021 over 27.6 million people in the UK, which is greater than half the adult population, have received one dose of a vaccine for Covid-19. The country’s rapid rollout of the vaccine sparks hopes throughout the country of a return to “normal life”. This has led to recent soaring popularity of Boris Johnson as prime minister; the population are more focused on looking forward rather than back. This optimism and activism moving into the future plays an important role in ‘word class’ behaviour – the ability to be positive and keep going together as a community can improve the lives of everyone.

Trust is in the eye of the beholder, which is the constant battle the Government face. Many evaluate the past and still consider the failures whilst others look towards the future. A world-class institution has many characteristics, and that can be decided by each individual. It is important to evaluate the actions of the government yourself and the value you place on trust and integrity to influence the future; a future that you will be either leading or feeling the consequences of the decisions that are being made now. In spite of some questionable role-modelling in the pandemic shown by the government, ‘world class’ behaviour is both learnt and becomes as vital as ever. Integrity, transparency, and optimism during everyday life ensures that your voice is powerful and can greatly determine the future, unlocking the power of trust.