As an Anglo-Spaniard by birth, upbringing, and professional experience I spend much of my life seeking out the best Britain and Spain can offer each other and warning against potential no-go areas that should be common to both.
Following the news of late across Europe, I am not sure I would recommend the introduction of an outspoken and unpredictable British comedian into Spain’s turbulent political life -can you imagine what havoc Russell Brand might cause-but there are other examples of British public life I would commend to Spaniards, regardless of whether they are Castillian or Catalan or Basque or Andaluz. Here are some suggestions, in no particular order of merit, as they are all in a sense connected to what one can broadly describe as a more developed political culture.
Firstly, serious Spanish reformers could do well to study British law governing the organisation and funding of political parties, not perfect certainly but fine-tuned over the years to ensure a certain measure of internal democracy, decentralisation,trasparency and accountability.
Secondly, Spanish media bosses should draw on the experience , not of the alleged illegalities of News International involved in ‘hackgate’ , but of the investigative skills and diligence of the Telegraph team that meticulously checked out , before publishing, the allegations contained in a leaked CD-Rom exposing the fiddling of relatively small amounts of expenses by some members of Parliament. By small I mean in relation to larger allegations of slush funds monopolising the front pages of certain Spanish newspapers.
Third, the Spanish Royal household could take a close look at how the House of Windsor has managed not only to weather the storms that have assailed it in recent years -from Diana’s death to Harry’s latest drunken escapade-but also to restore the popularity of monarch and future king. The Windsors have done this thanks not to the inspiration of any trusted courtiers but in response to some very professional strategic, political and public relations advice from lay individuals with wide experience of the real world beyond the court.
Finally, independent inquiries, with key hearings held in public, and statements taken on oath, and a administrative backup resilient against political or corporate pressure, have been used in recent years in the UK to try and discover the wood from the trees, whether it be unlawful killings Northern Ireland or illegal arms to Iraq or alleged police conspiracies.
Hard as it might be for some Spaniards to swallow, Perfidious Albion can still show the way when it comes to best practice in public service.
Jimmy, I too am an Anglo-Spanish by birth and have learnt to avoid comparisons as they are often flawed:
1) Party funding: In 2009, the Political Parties and Elections Act was passed and has yet to receive a commencement order requiring donations to political parties of over £7,500 to be accompanied by a declaration that the donor is resident in the UK and domiciled for tax purposes. Why the 4 year delay…??? The Conservative Party has received sums of money as large as £236,000 from donors living in tax havens like Monaco. Similarly, in April 2010, the Labour Party received £1 million from non-domiciled donor Lakshmi Mittal. Try explaining this “delay” to the PP or PSOE!
2) Media: I wouldn’t even enter here as “hackgate” is such a unprecedented violation of individuals freedom being abused by the media that it automatically deprives an Englishman/woman of any authority to preach about “good practice” in the media!
3) Royals: Again, what a terrible example to give! The Windsors have suffered, like the Bourbons, and those on the fringe such as Fergie (like Urdangarin), have also used their royal connections for financial gains….
4) Independent enquiries: I would agree that these would useful to introduce in Spain, but do they really achieve anything? I was directly involved with the Windscale THORP Inquiry back in the 1978 where we tried to stop the expansion of this dangerous nuclear complex. Result was all objections squashed, the plant built, it leaked(!), it has been closed well before it was supposed to, and the estimated lifetime cost of cleaning it up the Windscale site is £67.5 billion… inquiries let off hot air, but those in power always get what they want.
So instead of trying to solve the ills of Spain, I would love to hear your thoughts on the demolition of Barça last Tuesday by Mou & Company and what you think will happen in this weekends Classico and the Milan return game…