Anthony Barnett (London, OK): The thoughtful Dizzy has picked up on Paul Linford's posts which I blogged about as well. He's done so via Political Betting. But he picks up the wrong end of the stick. The issue is not whether there is a Tory "conspiracy". Or whether Brown looks strange. Cameron seems to have taken an approach on Brown which is just to attack him as a person. Is it the right one? My view is that of course political leaders are strange, perhaps none more so than Blair the hollow man himself, whom Cameron has adopted as a role model. You cannot be "normal" and be Prime Minister. This is why it is wrong to attack politicians in this personal manner - it plays to the gallery and the worst aspect of the media spectacle. We should not be judging our politicians on whether or not we'd vote for them in Big Brother or a so-called reality game show. Brown is blind in one eye and has impaired vision in the other. This makes his facial expressions strange and his capacity to see at long-range limited and produces some of the odd characteristics of his mannerisms. These are exacerbated, I have no doubt, by his capacity for immense concentration. So what? Cameron's decision to attack Brown for being a "strange man" degrades our politics (even more).
This is NOT to say that character and the personal are unimportant. If a man is a ditherer when he needs to be decisive - or, perhaps worse, in love with the appearance of being a 'decision maker' when thought is needed (T. Blair) this is a fair political charge. Someone can indeed be the wrong man for the job. But if so this is because the way they are doing things is wrong or their prejudices lead them to the wrong decisions. Judge them by their deeds not their appearance.
Comments
I completely despise Cameron and his supporters who attack the PM so personally.
The disgraceful jibe at PMQ's of Cameron shouting 'look me in the eye' to the PM knowing that
GB had lost his sight as a boy was not a mistake.
Every word Cameron says is scripted and that was an intended, written down vicious attack.
This, as illustrated here by Gareth Young, allows carte blanche for every and any ignorant and inappropriate comment to be levelled at the PM.
A shocking example set by Cameron.
It 's also perhaps a sign of the times, sensationalised blogging, the 'chav' culture, no respect, no manners, no restraint, educational disfunction, boorish 'free speech'.
Over many years I've watched and listened to angry and bitter exchanges over the despatch box, but that sickening comment is quite the worst I've heard in it's evident intention to severely wound and undermine the PM's confidence and spirit. Just so base.
Fortunately, I was not alone in picking up that inference, and Cameron's credibility as a decent man and future leader has been severely undermined.
I've no doubt he'll carry on with this type of attack, and he can do. The public though may not be aware as yet of the PM's difficulties with his sight. Until I read this article I didn't realise the full implications either, so thank you for that.
And be assured I will be advertising this as far and wide as I'm able to do.
The reason politics has disintegrated to this level is no fault of the Tories Anthony.
Once the policy conversion was complete that's all that's left to discuss. Unless in some perverted way you find Cameron's pro-nuclear / rooftop micro-renewable stance credible.
Judge them by their deeds not their appearance.
Brown's is soooo false though, and unlike other politicians the personal jabs really do hurt him, he doesn't have the humour to swat the jibes aside, everything is internalised. You can see his pent up frustration.
His make-over (whitened teeth and all) cannot hide a deeply insecure personality. He doesn't know where to look, how to stand, which hand to lean on, how smile or when to laugh....He's so bloody awkward it's painful to watch.
If you like his politics you may want to overlook these faults, but personally I think the man is a cretin. The control freak, micro-manager, side of his politics probably stems from these deep personal insecurities and complete lack of charisma.
And what's with that lower lip quiver he does when he's drawing breath? I've never seen that in any other person. Is it a nervous twitch? Probably explains the nosepicking and fingernail biting.
Just out of interest, if not on his personality, what deeds do you think we should judge Brown on?
Yeah, I thought the "strange man" comment was completely inappropriate too. I doubt the British public will endorse this sort of thing, it's sure to back fire. As you say, who'd model themself on Blair! yuk!...
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