A Study In Political Life

Today I started reading yet another political autobiographical book; the Blair Years, by Alastair Campbell. I seem to be attracted, of late, to authors that try to offer us readers a unique and supposedly truthful examination of politics and how their respective parties acted and reacted to some of the greatest political challenges and crises of both the 20th and 21st centuries. Many of us delight in reading of the strife and misfortunes of others; how their once great ambitions and lives are often reduced to bare, empty and deserted dreams.

However, I find these works rather more an opportunity to get a glimpse into the matter of a lifestyle choice. Politicians make choices that not only impact on the country at large, they also make choices around their families. This is what fascinates and excites me - the way in which we do not perceive politicians and political operators as 'people'. Of course with reference to our friends across the big pond, we will always see snaps of Barack Obama with Michelle and the kids. But in British political climbs we hardly ever see those friendly sociable shots of our leader holding hands with an excited and energetically waving child - one of the key connotations of what most of us would consider the mark of a genuine and honest man; a man with a family. So why is this? Why do suits, ties and handshakes permeate and saturate the media surrounding our political figures? I suppose that it is in part due to the typically British traditionalism, that politics is a serious and dangerous arena of media frenzy, intrigue and spin - an atmosphere not suited to raising or implying the raising of innocent and untainted children of whom should not have to see their father, or mother torn apart limb by limb by people who decide to measure a human being by the way that they look; rather than how they act. Let's not forget that, however much a man can be measured by his actions, his actions can only come to fruition with the strength of his character. A strong and sensible leader can make mistakes, but it is his consistency of character that should allow him to prevail and make choices that may come to define an era.