The seven deadly sins

Not for the first time, the attributes of wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony occupy centre stage in British public life. It was ever thus.

We have had the full rainbow this week if evidence were needed of the less savoury aspects of human nature.

Wrath in the guise of fury has this week brought about the demise of Chris Huhne. Until a few weeks ago, this career ex-Trotskyite Liberal politician was being touted as the successor to the ill-fated Clegg. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Chris Huhne seriously underestimated how his estranged wife would react when he attempted to foist points for a speeding offence onto her. He carried on with his deception even though he held a senior cabinet position and even though his own children were against him. Although it could be argued that several deadly sins were played out here, there is no need to pursue them because they are all to be found elsewhere.

Greed is sadly ubiquitous in society but the prize this week surely belongs to a bank. No shock there. RBS which is 82% owned by the tax payer saw fit to try and manipulate the LIBOR (London inter-bank lending rate). It is 82% owned by the tax payer because it was so badly run in the first place. If testament were ever needed of the lengths to which banks will go to make a fast buck, RBS has once again provided it in spades. That said, if you let a child run amok in a sweet shop, what do you expect? It must be Christmas every day in banking.

Sloth contributed in no small part to the catalogue of neglect documented at Stafford Hospital. I have written previously on this subject so will refrain from adding to it here.

Lance Armstrong is seemingly bereft of pride because whatever sinew he had left has now withered and died along with his sham of a record. With an ounce of pride, he would have done the decent thing and issued an unreserved apology to the many millions he has knowingly deceived. Like Chris Huhne though, he wanted to keep the charade going for as long as he could knowing very well how silly he would look when the truth was finally revealed.

The lust of Rupert Murdoch for the yankee dollar remains undiminished and, in spite of proven phone hacking allegations last year, has just announced a doubling of the net income of News Corp in North America. It goes to show that all publicity is good publicity.

It is surely envy which motivated so many MPs to vote against the bill in favour of gay marriage. Envy that non heterosexual partnerships are being considered on a par with their heterosexual counterparts. Nobody ever remembers who came second in a contest though, so their envious misgivings will soon be long forgotten.

The last place at the table belongs to gluttony. It is gluttony which stands responsible for rising levels of obesity and its co-morbidities such as diabetes, heart failure, stroke and cancer. Gluttony though, can only ever prevail if there is sufficient food to do so. I don't recall reading too much about it during the times of Dickens and confidently predict its demise in the not too distant future. Food banks don't support gluttony. They support life through basic survival and their numbers grow by the week. Whether this is a good thing or an indictment of our society will be for our progeny to judge.

So good night then to all seven of our less savoury bed fellows and doubtless we shall all meet again on the morrow.