The resignation which remains foremost in my mind was that of the then Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington following the Argentinian invasion of the Falkland Islands. It was an honourable decision, whatever the mitigating factors were, and he was respected highly for it. Compare, then, Lord Carrington's behaviour with that of Sir David Nicholson, who was the boss of the strategic health authority overseeing Mid Staffs hospital, where up to 1,200 patients died unnecessarily due, in the main, to poor care. The Prime Minister supports Sir David, saying we mustn't find 'scapegoats'. The use of that word is misleading, because Sir David is not a scapegoat; he is directly answerable for this appalling scandal. From all accounts, Sir David and his team were more than aware of failings in the health service, but a bloated bureaucracy moves slowly and tends to defend the status quo, rather than innovate. And if he was not aware of this appalling situation, Sir David should resign, anyway. Incredulously, Sir David is now in charge of the NHS itself and the Prime Minister continues to back him. It seems that the days when honourable people took full responsibility for their role in public life have gone forever and now they can blame the 'system' and continue as if nothing has happened. Let's not forget those who suffered and died needlessly because of the 'system' and of course the families and friends who witnessed their loved ones' final moments. What a reflection of a Britain we live in this is.