The WhatsApp Scandal: What does it say about modern politics?

We are only a few months into the Whatsapp Covid leak initiated by Isabel Oakshott, and it nonetheless appears to be too soon to tell whether this event will become the United Kingdom’s Watergate Scandal equivalent. There are, however, a few lessons which can be taken away from this leak, vis-à-vis modern politics. 

The two key controversial decisions taken during the pandemic, which are exposed in the leak, were not to test people going into care homes (ignoring clear advice from governmental scientific advisors) and thereby leading to the deaths of thousands of elderly people, as well as the decision to impose school lockdowns without any scientific evidence that they were needed and a very clear indication that they would affect the mental health of pupils. 

While hindsight is always 20/20 and I will avoid commenting on the obvious breach of the NDA signed by Isabel Oakshott "for public interest", one needs to look at the reasons why Matt Hancock pushed hard for these two measures, again despite governmental scientific advisors' advice, which was used to justify the measures put in place by the government. 

However disappointing, Matt Hancock pushed these two measures to "make the testing numbers" seem greater, to increase his popularity in the polls, as well as to assert his “devotion and loyalty to the Boss" (Boris Johnson). Hancock conveniently overlooked the multiple breaches made by Johnson, who is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. The “Lockdown Prime Minister” now controversially claims he was not aware of the rules he had put forward to the House of Commons! 

What this says about modern politics is that politicians are now more than ever focused on what will help them to increase their popularity and get re-elected rather than to achieve what they were elected for, in other words "do the right thing for the general public". It also demonstrates that there is a rule for all but not for the few, which is sickening for the population that suffered tremendously during the pandemic. Families have lost very dear parents or grandparents due to Hancock's thirst for power and a MHYCP’s post-pandemic survey showed that 40% of 6-16 year olds have experienced deterioration in mental health. 

It begs the question as to how we make sure we vote for politicians with substance and not for populists, who make fake promises, break the laws they impose on the United Kingdom’s population and make life-altering decisions with Whatsapp messages, yet who claim that these decisions were made with clear consultation and scientific analytical data backing their decision making. This is obviously easier said than done, however, there is clearly a lesson to be learnt from the Whatsapp leaks.

Article Writer - LexaNews Journalist