A quick blog because it is timely and I want to get it off my chest. (it is very early so I have the time while others snooze - ha!) The news this morning - 2 more Tory politicians have announced overnight they are going to run for their party leadership and by default become prime minister of the UK if they win. That is about 10 names in a couple of days and no doubt there are more to come.
Does this headlong rush not concern you? Does it not concern you that so many believe they have the exceptional ability to be able to lead their country at such a time of crisis and they have been so quick off the mark to declare? Does this say more about their ability or their ambition?
The other day I listened to a very thoughtful analysis of our Brexit politics by the Chief Rabbi - Jonathan Sacks. He succinctly summed up thoughts many people share - including me.
He said "our politicians these days are "too political". In times past our politicians had a "hinterland" - they were things before they were politicians. They cared about bigger things than politics. This made them better politicians. It meant they could relate to people whatever their political views."
Today so many of our politicians have never been anything other than politicians. It is their career. They are professional politicians. They are totally invested in it - and it is obvious - for many the turn on - the ambition - is a lust for power - to get to the top job - to be Prime Minister - it is a corporate greasy pole battle. (although they all say of course their "only motivation is to serve my party and my country.")
In times past politicians had experience of life before they entered politics. Invariably they were very successful in their former careers. It gave them depth - perspective and it gave them a base that was not solely based on their political ideology.
That alas is not the background of the majority of our politicians today. Do your research - how many have had a career path something like this :
Does this headlong rush not concern you? Does it not concern you that so many believe they have the exceptional ability to be able to lead their country at such a time of crisis and they have been so quick off the mark to declare? Does this say more about their ability or their ambition?
The other day I listened to a very thoughtful analysis of our Brexit politics by the Chief Rabbi - Jonathan Sacks. He succinctly summed up thoughts many people share - including me.
He said "our politicians these days are "too political". In times past our politicians had a "hinterland" - they were things before they were politicians. They cared about bigger things than politics. This made them better politicians. It meant they could relate to people whatever their political views."
Today so many of our politicians have never been anything other than politicians. It is their career. They are professional politicians. They are totally invested in it - and it is obvious - for many the turn on - the ambition - is a lust for power - to get to the top job - to be Prime Minister - it is a corporate greasy pole battle. (although they all say of course their "only motivation is to serve my party and my country.")
In times past politicians had experience of life before they entered politics. Invariably they were very successful in their former careers. It gave them depth - perspective and it gave them a base that was not solely based on their political ideology.
That alas is not the background of the majority of our politicians today. Do your research - how many have had a career path something like this :
- a bright kid did well at school.
- went to University to study History, English, Law or most commonly Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).
- While at University they become a leader of the Young Conservatives (or young socialists), a leading light in the debating society or editor of a student newspaper.
- They did intern political research for an MP.
- Probably qualified as a barrister but never really practised.
- Maybe done a couple of years in industry as a researcher or personal assistant to a director.
- Done a bit of journalism.
- Fight one by election in an unwinnable seat.
- Eventually get elected in a safe seat.
- Becomes a PPS for a senior MP or two.
- A Junior Whip.
- Low level minister shooting for the top!
Where is the "hinterland" in that? Where have the life skills developed?
The answer is they probably haven't. They are able - yes - but what do they have to draw on?
The most concerning of all - as Rabbi Sacks says - they are "too political" - for them politics is an end in itself. Politics is their career. They have given it everything - they are "all in" in poker terms. They are shooting for the the top - but they must stay on the pole at all cost! Their political career is foremost in their minds. (where am I in the pecking order - what do I have to do or say to raise my profile - how do I get noticed. Who is in my way - who are my rivals?!)
How many Tory hopefuls fall into this category. Most if not all. It is very concerning.
But to finish on a slightly more positive note Rabbi Sacks observes that at times of real crisis - and the Brexit issue is a real crisis - eventually a real statesman will emerge - some one capable of rising above - some one with exceptional qualities - a Churchill or a Thatcher. Is he or she one of those Tory hopefuls?
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