Just a normal piece of 'flint'?

Caroline Flint virtually bares all (steady male readers, I write in the metaphorical sense) in the Standard, during an 'interview' in which she provides details of her past, details which if we wanted to know we could quite easily ascertain from the internet.


Leaving to one side the 'PR' and 'Spin' aspects of the article, it is important to pay attention to the contradictions contained in what amounts to a 'puff piece' by one who is supposed to be a 'journalist'. The fact she has turned 50 is neither here nor there - and it would have helped if some indication had been given as to what the figure '50' referred. Presumably it did not refer to any aspect of her physical appearance - like the size of her mouth?


She states that energy companies should do something to simplify energy tariffs, yet were not said tariffs just as complicated during her time in government? Also the reason people are paying so much must surely be due the government, of which she was a member, adhering to diktats 'de Bruxelles'? She complains of being used as 'window dressing', yet presumably there was no coercion suffered by her when she posed for pictures such as these? Was not Flint also 'tolerating sexism' when she posed for those pictures? It is not surprising, knowing the standard of journalism currently practiced, that there is not one word on the points I have raised.


In agreeing to this article Flint can be accused of being hypocritical, just as the newspaper - and the journalist writing for that newspaper - can be accused of engaging in 'propaganda' for the promotion of a politician. That is not what journalism is supposed to be about, unless of course said journalist worked for the likes of OK Magazine, or similar publications.


I am fairly certain that were anyone to praise prostitutes and the use thereof, both Flint and Mensch would promptly mount (now there's a thought) their high horse and complain about sexualisation of women - yet is that not what both have done, Flint in this article and Mensch by posing for GQ magazine?


Oh the power of the press - used so expertly by both our government and our politicians!

Priorities?

This blog has long maintained that the basic problem with the lack of calibre exhibited by our Members of Parliament is that the vast majority consider being elected as an MP is but the first step on a career ladder, one that holds out the possibility of personal power, perks and thereby self-gratification. This accusation has been confirmed by an article in the Daily Telegraph in which one MP has decided to give this question of promotion a little 'Mensch'. As presently we have a representative democracy, presumably it is reasonable to assume that the aim of being elected as an MP is primarily to represent one's constituents and not personal advancement.


There are some in the blogosphere who do spend time attempting to raise the matter of the deficits in our politics and democracy and it might help if the leading, self-proclaimed, blogger concentrated on serious matters rather than tittle-tattle, especially if he wishes to maintain that the 'the Guidoisation of politics is to continue apace'.


David Cameron, in his New Year message, said that the Government will tackle excess in the City with the same energy that it is clamping down on benefits cheats - perhaps Dav il Cam might like to put his own house in order first?


Just saying......................