Politics of conflict: doctors, like MPs, should declare their interests

Professional politicians are a particular breed—pretending to listen, never actually answering a direct question, revelling in their opponents’ pain, and changing with their stance to match public opinion. They are fundamentally opportunistic, being the first to criticise others, especially in the public sector. So when pilloried in the parliamentary expenses scandal for employing their children and spouses; enriching themselves through property; and claiming for the petty to the preposterous, they found little sympathy from doctors. Now politicians are in the dock over lobbying—acting as paid mouthpieces …