Can Politicians Make Moral Decisions?

 

                                                                      Mayor John Tory departs

A week ago John Tory was cruising toward being the longest-serving mayor of Toronto, the fourth largest city in North America. Yesterday he said goodbye to a role he says he loved in a city he loved. Just about everyone was taken off guard and even shocked when he announced his resignation because he'd had an affair with a staff member. In his announcement on February 9th he said

I am deeply sorry, and I apologize unreservedly to the people of Toronto, and to all of those hurt by my actions. Most of all, I apologize to my wife, Barb, and to my family who I’ve let down more than anyone else.

The words of contrition and the decision to take responsibility for what had transpired seemed genuine. I did wonder if he would have resigned had there not been an impending article about the relationship in a major news source. Rumours about Tory's estrangement from his wife surfaced last December, apparently, along with the reason why. The journalist and his newspaper pondered whether to publish but in this  #metoo era when leaders in other fields would likely be held to account they decided to proceed. 

In the week between the first press release by Mayor Tory and his actual leaving office there was encouragement for him to reconsider and stay on in the role. One of those voices was that of  Premier Doug Ford, who wouldn't know a moral compass if he had it flung at him. It was clear that Ford was concerned that the byelection for mayor might bring in a "lefty" to power.

While #metoo has changed some attitudes, the egregious actions of people in power such as President Voldemort has emboldened lots of them to tough out lies and deceptions and immoral behaviour. 

Can we use words such as "immoral" and "unethical" anymore without seeming antiquated? We might be dismissed as "moralistic", one of the worst modern insults. And God help us if we mentioned faith as a factor in decision-making. 

I have no idea what went on in the "war room" set up to strategize Tory's plan but ultimately he made an honorable and moral decision. It may be unusual these days, but it is refreshing. I wish Tory well because public service is a tough gig and he had plenty of options. Even more I wish the best for those who were hurt the most.