Westminster Insider The art of the political apology
Dec 8, 2023
Former Downing Street aide Cleo Watson and former Tory MP Neil Parish discuss the art of political apologies, analyzing Boris Johnson's recent apology for COVID-19 mistakes. They explore the complexity and consequences of political apologies, reflecting on scandals involving pornography, sexting, and more. The podcast delves into the aftermath of apologies and politicians' paths to redemption, highlighting the challenges they face. It also discusses successful political apologies, including those by Neil Parish, Brooks Newmark, Nick Clegg, and Boris Johnson, questioning the potential success of Johnson's COVID apology.
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Parish's Public Denial Then Resignation
- Neil Parish describes being caught twice watching pornography in the Commons and initially denying it.
- He apologised and resigned publicly 24 hours after being unmasked.
Newmark's Swift Apology And Exit
- Brooks Newmark sent explicit photos to someone posing as a young woman and resigned quickly.
- He apologised immediately and stepped down as a minister before the story hit front pages.
The Non-Apology Minimises Responsibility
- The 'I'm sorry you're upset' non-apology shifts blame onto others and minimizes personal responsibility.
- Politicians use this form to express regret without admitting specific culpability.