Downward Spiral: Collapsing Public Standards and How to Restore Them

By John Bowers

A forensic analysis of ethical failures in the British government.

Boris Johnson's tenure as prime minister was marked by a series of scandals that severely eroded trust in the government. From questionable PPE tenders to the 'partygate' fiasco, every aspect of public life seemed tainted. How did this downward spiral begin, and what can be done to reverse it?

John Bowers KC presents a fearless examination of the decline in ethical standards before, during and after the Johnson government. Through interviews with insiders, he reveals how the institutions responsible for holding the government to account have been bypassed, and shines a light on a culture of favouritism, where standards are upheld based on little more than the assumption those in power can be trusted to behave.

The Labour victory in July 2024 marked a changing of the guard, but the system remains vulnerable to abuse. Downward spiral presents concrete proposals for creating an alternative that is more transparent and accountable.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1526197243
• ISBN13: 9781526197245
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Length: 312 Pages