Your members naturally have differing individual allegiances ranging across your nation’s party political spectrum. But shouldn’t all lawyers support increased investment in the legal system, the courts and access to justice? Some Bars and law societies now publish ‘manifestos’ at election time urging their various proposals for reform of the law and the legal system. 

We live in a political era increasingly characterised by polarisation of views, populism, disinformation, discourtesy, intolerance of difference and binary, extreme, ‘us-and-them’ divisions. Human rights, the rule of law and democracy itself are at risk in an election atmosphere hostile to evidence-based, respectful and balanced debate. Crucial decisions are being taken in this ‘global year of elections’. How can the independent voice, expertise and value-system of the legal profession play an appropriate role, in the public interest, at election time?