How fundamental is it for men to participate in the cause for equality?
It is absolutely fundamental for men to participate. This is not a cause for women or men alone, it is for everyone.
A billion people do not have access to electricity or water, and many societies still have divisive gender gaps. Anyone who is in favour of economic progress and not going back to the dark ages of violence and abuse should support this cause.
How easy is it to change long-standing mentalities about the role of women in third world Commonwealth countries?
It is not easy; for starters, this is a global issue and no country has achieved 100% equality. There are still attitudes which are reprehensible. In the United Kingdom, only 25% of MPs are women. Because of Commonwealth’s enormous spread, there are a large number of countries which are not practising such equality. One can sit back and criticise the organisation for not living up to its values or see it as an opportunity to make changes. The Commonwealth can offer something other than what is offered within the United Nations.
The organisation has its voluntary as well as governmental aspects. It is useless making speeches; you’ve got to have people on the ground. You have to know the people you need to talk to change laws, the families who can participate in dialogue.
How possible is it to change policies in countries with highly corrupt authorities? Does it not boil down to authorities?
It does boil down to politics. But who are the politicians? In a democratic society, the general public should have an access point to participate in the difficult process of governing. I’ve been in politics for most of my life, and it has become more difficult, not easier. Once people are participating, they can help formulate or change policies. Law changing does require a lot of thought but it can be done.
There has been progress, but there’s still a long way to go to achieve equality. What in your idea would be a success?
Conservatives believe that this is a constant battle – while pursing core values, there needs to be a gradual process. Technology is on the side of progress – most however believe that technology can be harmful, but it can be tamed. You can promote transparency, change and clarify what is being done, rather than only say what is being done.
I’m not going to say there’s going to be a perfect world; it’s always going to be a struggle.
Most often politicians often put civil liberties and social equality aside and focus on the economy and investment.
I think that is improving, but such issues do come from the bottom up. And that is exactly why the Commonwealth is so important, because it is not a hierarchy with secretariats at the top but rather a grass root family with people coming together. That is where the change needs to happen first – inside communities, families, the work place and that will percolate up to the law-makers and large corporations.
We are now looking into the immediate future, and what we are saying is that we can bring activists from all Commonwealth countries, who can go back with a powerful messages as part of a network. They are no longer fighting alone. It’s a long process, but this serves as a gateway.
I want to see Britian realise what a valuable thing the Commonwealth network is, to reposition itself to safeguard our own interest while staying good partners with the United States and Europe but not be controlled by them.
You’ve been in politics for a very long time, how has it changed over the years, and how has the perception of people on politics changed?
It’s changed for the better and the worse. When I first went into politics, people accepted politicians as authorities and they didn’t speak up, even if what they said didn’t feel quite right. There was occasional mobilisation of powerful public opinion, politicians could hold the idea that it was just public opinion, and it comes and goes.
That was the way of things. Today, it’s not. People are on the web, they are informed and they demand transparency. In order to retain authority, legitimacy and respect we need to take much more account of public opinion. But if public opinion is being expressed in volatile ways, then it makes the puppet master of public opinion a very instable one indeed. Authorities need to be responsive of public opinion, but if that goes too far, they will never decide anything and then we’re heading for anarchy. Technology has changed the way politics works, but government is much more difficult today, everywhere in the world.
What challenges will the new government in the United Kingdom be facing?
The media has been fed the idea that the Conservatives have a slim majority, but it’s not – it’s 99 seats above the Labour Party, and let’s remember that the Scottish Party and the Labour Party are deadly enemies. But there are big problems.
One issue is United Kingdom’s membership within the European Union. The UK is not demanding a shopping list, it is saying that the EU needs to revise its relationship with its member states. In the 20th century it was a standardised, centralising force for good for post war Europe. But in the 21st century we want a more flexible, decentralised structure that allows regions and localities to have their say.
Not to mention the European currency problem is a nightmare with no resolution in sight. We are asking for a less intrusive and regulated structure. Having said all that, the basic commitment of Britain is to stay within the European Union, and all parties are committed to saying. The referendum will happen and whether the other parties agree on the referendum or not, they will support the membership. No MS can stand Europe with such a high unemployment and stagnation. Europe’s got to modernise, and we want to be part of it.
Scotland does want autonomy; it is a very proud ancient Kingdom. But I think Scottish nationals want more pars but not total separation. If they play it well, they have a sympathetic hearing from Westminster to be a good nation with devolved pars, more than at present.