Politicians: Good Brain or Good Looks?

What do you look for in a politician when you are asked to vote for them? Honesty, sound policies, experience? Or is it just the way they look & sound on your television? It seems that image has overtaken ability as the number one requirement for anyone wishing to get to the top in politics. Obviously, any politician who possesses both is on to a winner. Arguably, that is what has taken Barak Obama into the White House, but are we risking the wellbeing of our nations by becoming obsessed by image?

In Britain, a general election is a matter of months away. If opinion polls are to be believed, Gordon Brown, a vastly experienced politician who has overseen the British economy over an unprecendented period of growth, is set for political annihilation. Brown is credited on the world stage for introducing policies which possibly stopped the world recession from becoming a full blown depression. Yet, in his own country, his political stock is at rock bottom. Why is this? Sadly, much of Mr. Brown’s problems stem from the fact that he is, to put it bluntly, terrible on television. Talk to people who know, & have met, him And they will describe a witty, charming, fiercely determined & intelligent man. But sadly, as soon as the camera is turned on, a dour, humorless politician who smiles at the wrong time & effects a strange jutting jaw appears. The British public seem to have decided that this is not what they want from their Prime Minister.

So, who does it look like the British electorate is going to turn to? Enter David Cameron, a former public schoolboy who inherited a fortune & seems never to have held a proper job outside politics. Cameron seems to be at a bit of a loss as to what his pitch is going to be. He is leader of the party on the  right wing of British politics but is always trying to present himself as a man of the people. Even experienced political watchers seem to be struggling to work out where he really stands. Does any of this matter to the British voters? It appears not – Cameron looks good on TV, has a pretty wife, cycles to work to show his “green” credentials, (even though his suit & papers are carried behind him in his official car!) & very rarely wears a tie! What more do we need from a leader?!

This media friendly image has earned Cameron a new nickname from his critics – “Blair Lite”. He is seen as another Tony Blair. This is where a strange paradox occurs. The British people fell spectacularly out of love with Blair following a series a damaging revelations. Blair saw this and, with his usual impeccable timing, got out fast. Brown took the reigns & had a short honeymoon with the British public. Then a series of events not entirely of his making, plunged the country into recession. All of a sudden he became “persona non grata”. His television appearances became a feeding ground for journalists & satire show writers. Some of the criticism bordered on the obscene. Most of this stemming from his appearance & television image.

So, what is going to happen next? It looks like the next British PM will be an inexperienced right wing politician who will be in charge of Britain’s finances at a crucial time. There is every chance he will make a complete mess of the job. But let’s look on the bright side. When he is trying to explain what has gone so wrong, he’ll look good on television!