CHARISMA'S PLACE IN POLITICS?
How important do you think charisma is in politics? More to the point, how important should it be?
The next election is rapidly becoming a battle of personalities. Drab and world weary Brown vs Flash (if slightly slimy) Cameron. Oh, and of course Clegg bobs around trying to get the attention he ought to deserve as head of a party whilst remaining tragically forgettable. What has happened is that through our loathing or loving of individuals we have forgotten to focus on policies.
We are being slowly blinded by British politics' somewhat awkward attempts to drum up American scale election enthusiasm.
An example of focus on the individuals is NIck Griffin and the BNP. Media and the rest of us all tend to focus on what a racist nasty carachter Griffin is without focusing on the real issue: the BNP are becoming increasingly popular, have 2 MEP seats and are trickling racism and extreme right wing ideals through our society. There are doctors, teachers, police men, people in positions of authority harbouring these ideals. This is dangerous but all we focus on is how close together Griffin's eyes are!
So should we stop caring so much about Samantha Cameron's pregnancy or Gordon Brown's weird smile and start focusing on the real issues? What would life reallye under a Tory/ Labour/ Liberal/ UKIP/ BNP government?
THANK YOU
Please respond,
Eve
Views: 16
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Rebecca Meredith on -
Its also interesting that the Tories claim to want things to change - and yet the shadow home secretary Chris Grayling commented that he thought hotel owners should be allowed to refuse entry to gay and bisexual visitors on the grounds that their sexuality was offensive.
-
Permalink Reply by Harry Naio on -
They want change, i.e. a reversal in any semblance of social progress since 1850.
-
Permalink Reply by Z. Aym on -
It's interesting you both should raise this. I was reading this article this morning and found it an interesting read. Especially how Cameron thought his wife was unconventional for having gone to a day school. Out of touch, much? Anyhow, bring on the class war!
A few hours later Ken Livingstone's piece to the Grauniad is published online, stating he introduced the London living wage that Cameron has accredited to Boris and the Conservatives.
Found that amusing.
-
Permalink Reply by Eve1994 on -
I like Ken Livingston. I think he's a bit of a dude and don't understand why he was ever repalced.
I was at a dinner party today (so soo lame really but quite sweet) with a very active conservative 18 year old (also the host) who had been out canvasing with john redwood, tory mp for his consituency, that morning. I couldn't help but raise all those points about what does "change" actually MEAN?! I probably got a bit too wound up but hey, Tory bashing is probably my main extra-curricular activity.
-
Permalink Reply by Harry Naio on
-
Tory-bashing is very satisfying, I've got two hyper-Tories in my year at school so I have a lot of Tory bashing to do, it's great
-
Permalink Reply by Azaan Akbar on -
Most certainly is - can you do me a favour and repost the link to the group? I seem to have lost it... =s
I also somehow deleted my previous comment and posted the new one below this! xD
I messed up - like the Tories would do to this country. (whoo)
-
Permalink Reply by Harry Naio on
-
http://www.facebook.com/harry.naio?v=wall&story_fbid=380353028665#!/group.php?gid=107558305947840
there, that should get you to the fb group, I've also got a blog for the organisation
http://anticonservative.wordpress.com/
you'll have to copy and paste the link, otherwise it just goes to my own profile
-
Permalink Reply by Azaan Akbar on
-
Actually, I would argue that we could use a bit more charisma in politics today.
Now, I definitely agree that it doesn't matter if you haven't got charisma but you're doing your job ok, but SURELY, in a state where practically everyone is beginning to mistrust our politcians and in a state where kids (unlike ourselves here) don't give a crap about politics - we need to spark some interest.
Now, kids not being interested in politics is fine, you don't have to. But surely they should all know basic government people and cabinet members and with the the ongoing flare of ''politics is boring'' I think charisma would definitely help in politics. In fact, I don't even think it should be charisma. They've got to be INTERESTING.
Hardly any politicians are funny, or interesting or cool - and I even hate those idiots (such as Cameron) who go around holding people's babies and smiling at them and then getting their wife pregnant or going to schools and what not. Stop being bloody fake and just do what makes you laugh - it might make others laugh too. For example, a few years ago, on Red Nose Day with Catherine Tate and it was ridiculously funny - and it raised his credibility and his respect (regardless of the invasion to Iraq, that's secondary to this debate). I just want politicians to show that they're human and are capable of humour. Sure, it's a hard job - but it doesn't mean you can't be funny or mess about once in a while.
There's only a handful of funny politicians, and as much as I dislike Boris, he's an example. He cracks a few jokes once in a while, and I don't see any harm to that.
To conclude, charisma and DEFINITELY a sense of humour could be useful in politics as long it doesn't overshadow the main task - as long as it demonstrates to the already dis-enthralled (making up words, please excuse me) British public that politicians are people too.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next ›
© 2013 Created by Live Futures.
Powered by
