Old Corruption a term associated with the Tory radical William Cobbett was a feature of the British Parliamentary system before 1832 and the Reform Act. There were Parliamentary Constituencies with hardly any electors but sitting MPs. Political positions were often awarded as favours. Either they were sinecures with no real work attached, or others did the actual work. Either way what resulted was not political activity but the enrichment of individuals.
Donald Trump has bought Old Corruption 2020s style. He has personally benefited by millions of dollars from his occupation of the White House. Edward Luce in the Financial Times noted that according to polls the factor driving the Democrat vote in the Mid Term elections was, of course, the cost of living but most of all corruption and the undermining of democracy.
Of course such things go on in the UK although not quite on such a grand scale. Donations to MPs from sources external to the UK (often Labour) and links to businesses (often Tory) are well known but not acted on.
However if we are looking for Old Corruption 2026 style in the UK it is to the far right. This week far right thug Daniel Thomas pleaded guilty to slashing a boat in the Channel but not before he had raised £86,000 to pay for his defence
Then there is Nigel Farage. The Parliamentary Commissioner is still investigating the £5m he received from Christopher Harborne. He has claimed that it was for his security. In fact he was offered and refused the same security arrangements that Kemi Badenoch has. He claimed the £5m was to pay for his security instead. The Guardian has now revealed that Reform is paying directly for it.
Many would say that the country does not benefit from Farage’s political activities but he certainly does personally
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