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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Bishop attacks 'sense of entitlement' among rich and powerful | Bishop attacks 'sense of entitlement' among rich and powerful |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| David Walker says there is clear connecting thread between MPs’ expenses scandal and wave of sexual harassment allegations | |
| Harriet Sherwood Religion correspondent | |
| Fri 8 Dec 2017 15.36 GMT | |
| Last modified on Fri 8 Dec 2017 16.00 GMT | |
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| The bishop of Manchester has criticised a “sense of entitlement” among politicians and people in power, citing a culture of sexual abuse and harassment and the parliamentary expenses scandal that emerged in 2009. | The bishop of Manchester has criticised a “sense of entitlement” among politicians and people in power, citing a culture of sexual abuse and harassment and the parliamentary expenses scandal that emerged in 2009. |
| The Right Rev David Walker said that at the centre of these two issues were “powerful men used to getting what they want”. He said: “The language of entitlement is, first and foremost, the language of the rich and powerful.” | The Right Rev David Walker said that at the centre of these two issues were “powerful men used to getting what they want”. He said: “The language of entitlement is, first and foremost, the language of the rich and powerful.” |
| In a blog for ViaMedia.news, Walker wrote: “Ten years or so ago we learned that significant numbers of UK politicians were taking an extremely generous view as to what constituted legitimate expenses. | In a blog for ViaMedia.news, Walker wrote: “Ten years or so ago we learned that significant numbers of UK politicians were taking an extremely generous view as to what constituted legitimate expenses. |
| “In the last few weeks we’ve discovered that many even more well-known figures, here and across the globe, have abused their position by demanding sex, or at least acquiescence to woefully improper remarks, from those more junior to themselves.” | “In the last few weeks we’ve discovered that many even more well-known figures, here and across the globe, have abused their position by demanding sex, or at least acquiescence to woefully improper remarks, from those more junior to themselves.” |
| Between the two issues was “a clear connecting thread, it is their sense of entitlement,” he wrote. | Between the two issues was “a clear connecting thread, it is their sense of entitlement,” he wrote. |
| The expenses scandal was a result of politicians believing “they were entitled to more than they were receiving. They saw the expenses system as a way of getting their due.” | The expenses scandal was a result of politicians believing “they were entitled to more than they were receiving. They saw the expenses system as a way of getting their due.” |
| Recent revelations about sexual abuse and harassment in politics and the arts, in the wake of allegations about the film producer Harvey Weinstein, “have a similar foundation. Powerful men, used to getting what they want, felt entitled to receive, or at least ask for, sexual favours from those who needed their backing or support.” | Recent revelations about sexual abuse and harassment in politics and the arts, in the wake of allegations about the film producer Harvey Weinstein, “have a similar foundation. Powerful men, used to getting what they want, felt entitled to receive, or at least ask for, sexual favours from those who needed their backing or support.” |
| Walker continued: “One of the most powerful symbols of success is the ability to control and determine the language in which conversation can take place.” | Walker continued: “One of the most powerful symbols of success is the ability to control and determine the language in which conversation can take place.” |
| He argued for a different language, using the vocabulary of grace, justice, liberation and “self-emptying” – a level footing or equal status. | He argued for a different language, using the vocabulary of grace, justice, liberation and “self-emptying” – a level footing or equal status. |
| He offered the example of the Manchester Homelessness Partnership board, of which he is chair, which insists on meetings having “enough people with personal experience of life on the streets for them to have power and voice among us”. Everyone had equal status, he said. | He offered the example of the Manchester Homelessness Partnership board, of which he is chair, which insists on meetings having “enough people with personal experience of life on the streets for them to have power and voice among us”. Everyone had equal status, he said. |
| Despite huge challenges, through this approach “we are ditching the tired battle between entitlement claims and creating a new culture, one with the possibility for real change,” Walker said. | Despite huge challenges, through this approach “we are ditching the tired battle between entitlement claims and creating a new culture, one with the possibility for real change,” Walker said. |
| Sexual harassment | |
| Anglicanism | |
| Christianity | |
| Religion | |
| Manchester | |
| Greater Manchester | |
| news | |
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