Thursday 10 November 2011

A credibility gap

Subrosa posts questioning the apparent lack of gravity in the platitudes paid to our military dead by the leaders of our political parties in the House of Commons. I, too, feel that these expressions of regret and sympathy have become routine and are now uttered with the same degree of intonation as might be the latest trade figures. That these announcements of those who fell are so closely followed by the 'Cameron/Miliband Show', in which the two participants trade what amounts to schoolboy insults, further undermines the solemnity due to our fallen.

This leads one to question whether when MPs talk about, for example, the plight of the poor or the pain felt by consumers with rising energy bills, they actually mean it. Why is it that when an MP raises the plight of one of their constituents at PMQs invariably it is done in such a manner as to make a political point?

That Subrosa is moved to raise her concerns, as I am to raise my questions, just demonstrates the nadir to which politicians have sunk in pursuit of their careers.


Just saying.........

8 comments:

TomTom said...

Politicians are poor actors - they can read lines but they "can't do sincerity" which is the hallmark of a genuine actor.

Only those that can convincingly genuflect at the altar of Sentimentalism are worthy of being voted in to pursue their sociopathic tendencies .....that current politicians are so devoid of thespian talent in such a critical area of dissimulation is an indictment of our times

PeterCharles said...

I don't agree TT, I think acting is an essential talent for politicians, just as it is for barristers, and our current crop are highly skilled. That being the case I judge it is more a case of their insincerity has fallen to such depths not even superb acting ability can mask it.

subrosa said...

I tend to support Peter's point rather than the Tom's softer stance and believe that politicians no longer 'do' sincerity. How can they when their engrossed within themselves and their bubbles and know nothing of the outside world, other than what they may happen to see/hear during election campaigns.

Sebastian Weetabix said...

This dreadful insincere shroud waving was started by that vile creep Blair to disarm the opposition at PMQs. I wish they would just stop.

WitteringsfromWitney said...

TT, PC & SR: Looks like your outvoted here TT as I do tend to side with PC and SR.

SW: Agreed

TomTom said...

TT, PC & SR: Looks like your outvoted here TT as I do tend to side with PC and SR.

I like being in a minority. Vindication comes with the passage of time !

JohnK said...

Surely the Prime Minister pays tribute to the dead on behalf of the nation. So why then does the Leader of the Opposition then parrot exactly the same names a few seconds later? We have just heard the names of the dead, the only thing the Leader of the Opposition is doing is trying to gain tawdry political advantage.

WitteringsfromWitney said...

JK: Just be thankful Clegg has been taken out of the serial......

I wouldn't mind the repetition - if only they sounded as if they meant it!