POLITICS is currently beset with a culture of denunciation of morality not policies. To state that is not in any way accepting or condoning appalling, nor even just sleazy, behaviour. Criminal actions should be dealt with by the appropriate authorities and in serious incidents dismissal is demanded or resignation expected.

But, there are other actions that, whilst unacceptable, can surely be acknowledged with an apology and the party or electorate left to judge in the future candidate selection process or at the ballot box. To err is human after all, even for those in privileged positions.

However, there’s a righteous brigade on the loose at the moment for whom no transgression can ever be forgiven. To them the phrase “let him without sin cast the first stone” seems an invitation to lead the onslaught. Yet, they’re rarely blameless or so virtuous themselves.

For them every crass indiscretion or repugnant remark requires to be punished and severely. Some allegations appear to relate to what was deemed acceptable by a wider culture at the time. This is not an acceptance of this behaviour but an understanding about the circumstances that prevailed. Language has altered considerably for example, and phrases previously uttered are now acknowledged as repugnant. That doesn’t make it right, but it gives it context from which voters can decide.

Expecting proper behaviour now is correct, as is condemning previous bad conduct. But, when it has happened some balance between the utterly repugnant and the grossly stupid is required. However, neither a profuse apology nor even due process can suffice for the current vigilantes. Political crucifixion is demanded.

Nelson Mandela and post-apartheid South Africa were able to forgive those who had served a regime that jailed and brutalised them. Yet here contrition is inadequate for shameful conduct and the maximum sentenced demanded.

It’s akin to a witch hunt and creating a climate of fear. I’ve even heard tales of male MSPs unwilling to enter a lift with a young female intern lest an accusation be made. That’s taking it to an extreme, but the harm it can do has already been shown in Wales. But, the onslaught remains relentless and the search is on for miscreants. I’m minded of Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible and the searching for witches across the town of Salem. As with the Reverend Hale in that tale, we should denounce these proceedings.

The Parliament will be the purer for it but we’ll all be losers by it. The current criteria being set would have excluded Winston Churchill, John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton, given their moral failings. The remark attributed to Churchill when challenged by a female MP that he was drunk – “Madam, I’m drunk but in the morning, I’ll be sober but you’ll still be ugly” – would now see demands for resignation. Likewise, the philandering of the other two political giants would see them condemned for their abuse of power and banished forever..

I don’t know many of those involved and none well. But I did know others who went before them. Brian Adam, who was Mark McDonald’s predecessor as Donside MSP was a dear friend who died far too young. A devout Christian, he lived his life by the Mormon code, paying his tithe and renouncing not just alcohol but coffee. He was a good and righteous man who chastised people for political faults but never for moral failings. Lord knows I had plenty, and he was gracious enough to forgive me.

Likewise, I was privileged to know Phyllis Herriot, who was an old Labour stalwart and a pensioners’ champion. She was also willing to forgive my trespasses, even my membership of the SNP. A lovely lady who could be caustic about political foes’ policies but never pontificated about their personal behaviour.

Both experienced hard times in life and politics but remained deeply generous in spirit. They believed that politics was about ideology and values, the collective more than the individual. Throughout their lives they lived up to the values they espoused but never sought to judge others by any failings and had a capacity to forgive those who faltered or fell by the wayside.

At the moment parties seem to be vying with each other not just in policies but in moral rectitude as Holy Willies come to the fore. Many politicians have been elected not through community activism but by political patronage. They’re an officer class happy to stand in judgment of others. As ideology and political values have lessened, personal morality and an individual’s profile have risen as their main criteria.

Many though fail to live as they preach and will be exposed. I much preferred Brian and Phyllis, who condemned political actions but never moral lapses.