The Wardman Wire

Rant Alert…
Is this really what we all meant and wanted when we said it’s time to clean up politics in the wake of the expenses scandal? David van Day? Esther Rantzen? Simon Heffer? Do you really think that celebrity politics is better than real politicians? Well, they say we get the politicians we deserve and if the election of a bunch of attention seeking, over the hill celebrities who think they are in touch with the people despite their lovie life styles, then we all deserve to be damned.

The solution to what?
And why are we being bombarded with a whole host of other ridiculous, so called, solutions. Why are we talking about proportional representation, the end of party politics, fixed term parliaments and a whole host of other measures that are perfectly good things to debate but have nothing whatsoever to do with claiming expenses?

David Cameron has opened up the candidate list for the remaining seats that need to be decided for the next general election. He has invited anyone to stand whether they are in the party or not. What has this got to do with anything? The more cynical would say that it will bring more honest people in to politics and that we can do away with the career politician. Says who? What is the reasoning here? Where is the logic?!

You have to wonder what the problem was in the first place with all this, because it seems that we are answering a whole load of questions that were never being asked. The simple reason we are here is two-fold: hysteria caused by the media and gesture politics by the party leaders. They have a dangerous desire to be seen to be doing something, anything. Score some political points so that the media portray them as the ones leading Britain out of its moral quagmire and into an era of honesty and cleanliness.

Quite frankly it is all nonsense. It is a kneejerk reaction to a problem that requires a sensible, informed and thoughtful touch.

PM Bono anyone?
I am sure plenty of people out there would like to see Prime Minister Bono and Home Secretary Katie Price. I am sure white van man is just what plenty of people think we need. But given some thought, given some time, given a proper investigation that reports some proper solutions, those thoughts would perhaps mellow a bit.

The European elections
The Euro elections are next week. What are we talking about? The Lisbon treaty? The Tory’s planned pull out of the EPP? The Euro parliament choosing the political standing of the next President? The common agricultural policy? Energy and environment policy? Economic policy – after all Europe is in its worst state economically since the second world war and like it or not, the four major economies do not include Britain – they are the US, India, China and Europe. Yes Europe. That is how global economic deals and treaties are formulated now. Forget France, Germany, Britain and whoever else. It is Europe. We are there. Deal with it – or at least talk about it!

Where would be the best place to put your vote in Europe? Do you have any idea whatsoever? I suspect most people do not.

Why are we not talking about Europe?
So why, during a party election broadcast for the European elections do the Conservative talk about expenses? Why do the Labour party and Lib Dems refuse to mention Europe at the moment? Why are we talking about a Westminster problem when we are going to the polls to decide on an institution that decides about 40% of our national policy? (Yes 40%, not the 80% myth peddled by our media and the euro sceptics). Why can you travel virtually the whole way across London (and I am sure it is the same with many other regions) and not see one poster alluding to the Euro elections?

Why, why, why?!
Why are so many people considering voting for UKIP and other parties as a direct result of the expenses scandal? Do people really think they are a more moral type of politician? The polls have UKIP up as much as 10 or more points as a direct result of the scandal. This is a Westminster issue, not a European one. Worst of all, is not people protest voting, but people not voting at all. Turnout will be considered a success if it is over 35%. 35%!? Once again our media and politicians refuse to talk about Europe so why the hell would the masses know anything about Europe and why would they vote?

We are very good at focusing on one issue
It is said that the British are very good at focusing on one issue at a time, but terrible at two or more. Well we have seen that in spades recently. We have gone from papers full of swine flu, to political smears to expenses. Each and every one of these issues has been worthy of reporting. None of them have deserved the outrageous attention they have achieved. It is damaging to our society and democracy.

Not a time to punish democracy
The system needs a shakeup there is absolutely no doubt or dispute about that; what it does not need is tokenistic, opportunistic knee jerk reactions. However, that is exactly where we are now going. I for one sincerely hope we do not have a general election any time soon because the thought of punishing democracy, which is what the media seem to want to do, is really rather worrying.