Get off your high horses, Tories

Theresa May is under massive pressure (Image: Sky News)

This may surprise you, but it is a politicians' responsibility to inspire our current and future generations. What they do is so important, those who are democratically elected should never take their roles for granted. They receive at least £75,000 per year, it is vital to many they show their true value.

With that responsibility comes attitude and professionalism. Every politician holds significant power to change the way communities operate, influencing how society works. They are hugely influential individuals, heavily publicised in this over-exposed world. Their words and actions are gold dust and could be the difference between life and death for those they represent.

I don't want to give politicians credit or an inflated ego, but they sign up to being a Member of Parliament. It's a big and privileged task they're given. I can list a large handful those who thrive upon that responsibility, and are not in it entirely for their own gain. Considering that in mind, I find myself bewildered by how, right now, some are putting their privileges into total disrepute, abusing their authority due to sheer ignorance.

My criticism here is aimed at the Conservative Party, in a similar way to when I was highly annoyed by Labour two years ago. As I see myself increasingly 'politically homeless', I try and allow myself to give parties I've never voted for, a benefit of the doubt. Because of the debate around Europe, I find myself agreeing with individual MPs across the political spectrum - not just Labour figures who I have backed in every election since 2010. So I feel it is important to keep an open mind when it comes to decisions politicians make, regardless of the party they choose to represent.

That said, recent events have affirmed to me why I don't vote for the Conservatives and why I never will for at least the near future. Who'd have thought a party, notorious for 'keeping it together, through thick and thin', are now completely falling apart? It is true to say that Europe is killing them at a pace almost too rapid to describe.

Dominic Raab (L) with Michel Barnier (Image: Telegraph)

This, of course, could have been avoided. Naturally, each and every one of their MPs would agree on practically every domestic issue. Whether it is the economy, NHS or the justice system, every Conservative politician in office would very rarely rebel against a proposed policy their Prime Minister puts to the table. Britain's relationship with the European Union wasn't the biggest issue until the past few years. It's just as well the party in power almost avoided the subject completely until a certain former PM, David Cameron, opened the world's largest can of worms.

Suddenly, Europe is the only policy ever. So much so, that anything a front-bench minister disagrees with the leader on the EU-exit approach, they'll just resign. Just like that. Before, logically, a minister would walk away from their vital roles over a plethora of reasons. It's supposed to be a big and difficult decision to walk away from a higher pay packet. But for the Tories in 2018, it is really easy to run away from such an honoured responsibility. I don't think there has been a dramatic day of mass resignations at government level in a long, long time as we saw this Thursday (15th November) just gone - all because of one issue. Even the Trade Envoy to Pakistan decided to continue the trend and walk over something that wasn't in his remit.

Now, I take plenty of issues regarding these resignations, but I'll narrow them down to three. The first point surrounds the lack of respect these politicians have for their boss. Theresa May, whether we like it or not, has the most pivotal voice in every policy before it goes to Parliament to approve. As Prime Minister, she has to be completely happy with how the nation operates. So when she submits her EU proposals, however bad critics perceive it to be, does not constitute the level of humiliation the likes of Dominic Raab and Esther McVey gifted her by sulking. Their behaviours were completely inexcusable. They make walking away so easy, and make openly criticising their manager while getting away with it even simpler, as if we can all do that and manage our lives absolutely fine. Would you talk and write about your boss the way these experienced MPs had? If you did it, in nearly 100% of cases, you'd see the P45 and no income in your pocket until you find another job - if you can without having your past casting a dark shadow over you. It is beyond parody.

The second point to be made here is the emphasis of these MP's so-called 'principles'. I say 'so-called' because we hear that word too often as a petty defence mechanism, informing their sceptics why they made their contentious decisions. "I'm resigning because my leader isn't delivering what you wanted," these MPs insinuate. In reality, they're resigning for attention, washing their hands away from challenging responsibilities. How can you truly influence policy when you're no longer at the front-bench?

Esther McVey (Image: Daily Mirror)

My third issue is what I mentioned before. Europe isn't a top issue, not really. It's important, I completely acknowledge that. But if you ask me, or many, many others what matters most, we would put our emergency services, the retail market, education, crime and property prices above the UK's relationship with Europe. Europe plays a vital role in some of these, of course, but constitutes a small percentage of agreed Parliamentary policies. Esther McVey's role as heading the Department of Work and Pensions has very little to do with what goes on in Brussels, and if you compare how she votes to Theresa May, you'd easily mistake who's who as they think alike - which is absolutely normal because they're in the same party. By choosing to resign, McVey has elevated the EU-exit, making that tough process even more painful than it really should be.

Do I agree with Theresa May's approach to Europe, not particularly. If I were a government front-bench minister, would I stick to my job I fought hard to do, despite May's EU negotiation methods - I personally would, yes. Balancing loyalty to your ambitions, utilising your best skills and respecting your peers takes you places in life. That message should be encouraged by every politician to their constituents. They currently underestimate the impact their actions have on the wider environment. Many people in the UK will never find it that easy to walk away from their job and live life as normal. MPs can move from the front-bench to the back, as they'll still have their £75,000+ salary to fall back on. The moment they realise their actions speak louder than words, they won't take such drastic action in order to exasperate a situation that doesn't need exasperating.