The disinterested activity in politics that puts the commonwealth before party gain is naturally discouraged by the party organisers.
Yet when public interest in national affairs sinks to the merely sporting instinct of "backing your candidate" at elections as a horse is backed at race meetings, and of "shouting for your party" as men shout for their favourite football team, or sinks still lower to the mercenary speculation of personal gain or loss on election results, then another danger comes in--the indifference of the average honest citizen to all politics, and the cynical disbelief in political honesty.
The warnings of John Stuart Mill against leaving politics to the politicians and against the professional position may be quoted: "Representative institutions are of little value, and may be a mere instrument of tyranny or intrigue when the generality of electors are not sufficiently interested in their own government to give their vote; or, if they vote at all, do not bestow their suffrages on public grounds, but sell them for money, or vote at the beck of some one who has control over them, or whom for private reasons they desire to propitiate.

Popular elections as thus practised, instead of a security against misgovernment, are but an additional wheel in its machinery." Mill himself was a striking example of the entirely disinterested politician, who, caring a great deal more for principles than for party, finds little favour with the electors, and less with the party managers, and retires from politics to the relief of his fellows.
A general lack of interest in politics can prove fatal to democracy.

The party managers, without the fear of the electorate before their eyes, will increase the number of salaried officials and strengthen their position by judicious appointments.

Nominally, these inspectors and officers will be required for the public service, and the appointments will be justified on patriotic grounds.

There will be little criticism in Parliament, because the party not in power will be anxious to create similar "jobs" when its own turn comes.