Qualities necessary to become an MP

"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power."
P. J. O'Rourke (1992)

As today seems to be yet another "non-news" day, it seem the appropriate time for a short rant!

Stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power: the four prime qualities necessary for our present-day politicians to possess, if they wish to be successful!

Stupidity: exemplified by an opposition party, who facing probably the most hated government in office, failing to secure the necessary majority at the general election; by politicians introducing a policy of devolution without having first thought through the ramifications of said policy (and that goes for a few other policies too!); by politicians not accepting that through ceding the ability for self-governance they have made themselves impotent and thereby unnecessary; and last, but by no means least, the public not recognising just what they are allowing to happen.

Ignorance: exemplified by all those mentioned above who have not the slightest idea of why they do - and allow - all that they have.

Greed: exemplified by the behaviour of our politicians in respect of their expenses; their desire, with few exceptions, to progress up the ladder of government to the detriment of their prime reason of being elected - namely to reflect the views of their constituents and to vote accordingly, come divisions in Parliament.

Love of Power: exemplified by the practice of our politicians to lie to the public with the sole aim of retaining their hold on said power; and by their "hold" over the re-call of MPs and outcomes of local referenda.

That'll do for now - I did say it would be short!