The Politicians Who Crave Fame
Duncan Barkes thinks many politicians are no more than wannabe rock stars.
30 Jul 2011, 10:06
Lembit: Craves fame
Let me introduce you to Liberal Democratic South West MEP Graham Watson. I have never met the man, but the available evidence rather suggests he puts himself before principle. At the time of writing Mr Watson features on the website for Republic - an organisation that does what it says on the tin. It does not like the Royal Family, it detests the idea of a monarchy, and wants the UK to be a republic. Its offical strapline is 'Campaigning for a democratic alternative to the monarchy'.
Scroll through the website, past the adverts that offer you a Republic mug for the bargain price of £4.99, and under the heading 'Who we are', click on 'Our Supporters'. There you will find Graham Watson MEP. No harm in that you might think. If the bloke does not like the idea of a monarchy then he should be allowed to express this view and you would be absolutely right. It is only when you research Mr Watson that you discover he recently accepted a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours earlier this year. How does a chap who lists himself as a supporter of an anti-monarchy group square becoming Sir Graham Watson when his gong is a direct result of a system that he says he does not support and appears to actively campaign against?
Hypocrisy is a wonderful thing. It lets you have your cake and to eat it. Either Sir Graham should remove himself from the Republic website or phone up Buck House and return his knighthood. Currently the bloke comes across as someone with little conviction who is happy to play the system to ensure he gets the biggest prize possible.
He is not alone. Take Lord Prescott for example. A man who spent years criticising the establishment and the system only to enjoy the fruits that it offered later in his life. Is it no wonder that the public increasingly take a dim view of our elected representatives?
The recent phone hacking bun fight has seen both Labour and Conservative MPs desperate to snatch the limelight and boost their own profiles off the back of some of the most appalling allegations in a long time. Watch the footage where Murdoch Senior was questioned and draw your own conclusions. Some were like performing seals looking for the biggest round of applause from the global audience.
I believe that a vast chunk of our elected representatives are in politics for the right reasons. However, you do not have to search too far to find those who are simply using it as a platform to gain fame, notoriety and, in some cases, fortune. If they were not in politics then they would be trying their hand as an actor, rock star, author or comedian. And for those of you that doubt my assessment so far, I say just look at Lembit Opik..
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Unless, of course, Sir Graham Watson rather likes the idea of: President Sir David Watson?
What he has done is rather like a vegan runner accepting sponsorship from Walter Smith Butchers.
31/07/2011 22:54