Cleaning Up in Government

A certain amusingly bipartisan Britishness is emerging with regard to the Topland bribery and corruption case, which was begun by Jack Straw in the Government's name during Labour's last month in office. Accusations of deceit, fraud by bribery, dishonest assistance, breach of confidence and unlawful conspiracy are rather delicious coming from such soiled New Labour goods as Straw; but it now turns out that the accused company donated £25,000 - the price of a chance for a bit of personal networking with some senior flunkeys - to the Conservatives a year after they took office. There is, as usual, no suggestion that the company or its owners sought to influence the Government in exchange for the donation, because party donors have no influence whatever on Government policy. The Conservatives believe that market forces and the profit motive are good enough for public health, education, the national infrastructure and the police; but when it comes to party policy it seems a Higher Power kicks in.