The Curatorial Power of Scandal
Same playbook, different decade: FIRST INSTANCE: The Profumo Affair (1963) Claim: British Secretary of State for War John Profumo had an affair with Christine Keeler, who was also involved with a Soviet naval attaché. Outcome: Profumo resigned, the Conservative government was severely damaged, and public trust in institutions eroded. The scandal was less about national security dangers and more
about moral failings and class anxieties, ultimately contributing to a Labour victory in 1964. REPETITIONS: The 'Partygate' Scandal (2022) Claim: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his staff held gatherings at 10 Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns, violating government rules. Outcome: Johnson faced a police investigation, a parliamentary inquiry, and significant public backlash. While
specific allegations of rule-breaking were documented (Metropolitan Police, 2022), the scandal quickly became an existential threat to his premiership, overshadowing broader policy failures or the origins of the pandemic. He resigned in July 2022. TODAY: Starmer and Epstein's defense (2026) Claim: Keir Starmer, then Director of Public Prosecutions, signed off on a plea deal for Jeffrey Epstein's
alleged co-conspirators in 2009. The ABC News report highlights how this connection is being used by rivals to challenge his leadership. Outcome: The immediate focus is on Starmer's political resilience and Labour's electability, not the broader network that enabled Epstein for decades. The scrutiny is directed at Starmer's sign-off on a plea deal over a decade ago, not the systemic failures or