lupestripe (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lupestripe) wrote2010-02-10 03:14 pm
lupestripe) wrote2010-02-10 03:14 pm
Alastair Campbell On Loose Women
Did anyone see this yesterday? It was one of the most bizarre interviews I have ever seen. The man famed for having a brutal no-nonsense reputation being grilled by Colleen Nolan.
Effectively, it was just a 15 minute party political broadcast for the Labour Party (I don't know whether it contravenes ITV regulations or not - as it's independent I doubt it) but it was a combination of hard political talk, the Iraq war and ephemeral fluffy bullshit. He had the temerity to blast the Press over the Iraq Inquiry and their changing positions between 2002 and 2010 (which we all heard on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday) but he also blasted celebrity culture when he quite clearly precipitated it in politics. The fact that he was on such a show as Loose Women demonstrates this yet further.
The interview ended with "and after the break, we find out whether you should be upset if your man doesn't know your eye colour or bra size". It was surreal.
I'm very unsure about politicians going on such fluffy shows anyway but I guess it does appeal to the electorate. Whether questions of impartiality are brought up though I am uncertain. Is such undue influence fair from a national broadcaster or is it just the same as the national press and their differing political allegiances? The problem is that the press is far easier to avoid than TV as most people invite the latter into their homes. You can always turn over but once you see something, there is a temptation to stick with it and hear it out.
Effectively, it was just a 15 minute party political broadcast for the Labour Party (I don't know whether it contravenes ITV regulations or not - as it's independent I doubt it) but it was a combination of hard political talk, the Iraq war and ephemeral fluffy bullshit. He had the temerity to blast the Press over the Iraq Inquiry and their changing positions between 2002 and 2010 (which we all heard on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday) but he also blasted celebrity culture when he quite clearly precipitated it in politics. The fact that he was on such a show as Loose Women demonstrates this yet further.
The interview ended with "and after the break, we find out whether you should be upset if your man doesn't know your eye colour or bra size". It was surreal.
I'm very unsure about politicians going on such fluffy shows anyway but I guess it does appeal to the electorate. Whether questions of impartiality are brought up though I am uncertain. Is such undue influence fair from a national broadcaster or is it just the same as the national press and their differing political allegiances? The problem is that the press is far easier to avoid than TV as most people invite the latter into their homes. You can always turn over but once you see something, there is a temptation to stick with it and hear it out.
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That, that really does sound like a Monty Python sketch. I can just hear Michael Palin (puffyhaired '70s version) saying that.
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Over here, we usually get that line from the libertarian/tinfoil hat/goldbug types, as well as the Ralph Nader crowd. Basically the stupid and paranoid on the left and right. It's sort of true, in sentiment at least, but the Republicans over here are bugfuck insane, and given the dynamics of the party system over here, a vote for a third party is (in effect) a vote for the Republicans (as it siphons off Democratic votes).
So, if you understand and accept that, saying that the Democrats are the same party as the Republicans, and implying they're not worth your vote, sets of some alarm bells in some people—I guesss you'd better follow that up with "thus I am staying home (and not voting)" or you're going to be seen as a kook.
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Footnote - Brown really doesn't look well does he?
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