Partygate & Beergate | Johnson and Starmer's political turmoil raises urgent questions for HR

Much has been written about the ongoing scandal that has plagued Prime Minister Boris Johnson since revelations around potential breaches of COVID-19 gathering rules within the Conservative Party took place. However, the latest developments in the case raise some serious questions for the HR world, which should be addressed.

In fact, the ‘partygate’ debate took on new meaning this month as the ongoing fracas enveloped the Labour Party too; the opposition has publicly and repeatedly decried the actions of the PM and the Conservative party, for ‘losing the trust of the public’. Johnson has, in turn, repeatedly refused to resign.

While calls to oust Johnson continue to emanate from the Labour party, more evidence that may now implicate Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer has, in essence, altered the perception of the debate, from one in which one party may have the moral upper hand, to one in which all sides are embroiled in potential scandal.

So where does the HR agenda come into play, you may ask?

Well, in a world where leaders across the spectrum are potentially perpetuating a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ culture, where can we turn? In a climate in which the average person is struggling with mental, physical and financial wellbeing, and solving these issues is being obfuscated by the poor actions of leaders, is there any way to gain back the trust and investment of their people?