Friday, October 26, 2007
Peter Oborne & The Triumph Of The Political Class
Earlier this week I interviewed Peter Oborne about his book THE TRIUMPH OF THE POLITICAL CLASS. This short excerpt (above)looks at the relationship between the media and politicians. In the excerpt below we discuss the rise of the professional politican who has never held a job outside politics.
I must say, this was one of the most enjoyable interviews I have done. Do watch the full interview HERE.
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19 comments:
Very interesting line in trousers on the part of Mr Oborne. Would it be possible to find out where he got them?
Fabulous book, thoroughly recommended.
iain - if you go through the biographies of the Labour cabinet it is quite remarkable just how many of them are part of this "political class" and have never had a real job in their lives.
Current UK cabinet wiki page with links to each of their biographies.
When I did this a few days ago I was utterly gobsmacked at just how many of them are "political class" types.
I'll certainly go out and buy ..........probably not, just watch the footie instead, or a good film, whatever.
Interesting interview. Cheers.
Mister Scruff
I'm afraid that is no longer an accusation that can be solely levelled at New Labour. All three main parties are guilty of it.
Top interview Iain, will link to it.
There is little [if any] in the works of Peter Oborne that is not admirable. I have read a couple of his earlier books and found them very informative and accurate. What astonishes me is; why he is not more widely read? Could comprehensive education be a factor?
What do you expect? Most of them would be completely unemployable in the real world.
The bit about Simon Hughes is worthy of a wider audience as well I think.
your point's definitely the stronger on the career politicians point iain.
Excellent interview. I shall buy the book. Oborne's "Rise of Political Lying" is also good. You & he made a first-class combination.
i agree Paul - but in the Conservative party is not as widespread. Looking at the shadow cabinet biographies I see a raft of experienced businessmen, ex-army, merchant bankers, City traders etc etc...
looking at Labour i see nothing but policy wonks with no prior experience in how our market economy actually works.
there's a major difference between the two sides.
Liked it, but there was plenty of scope for putting the boot in and ridiculing these types - did not happen, alas.
This certainly echoes stuff I have written about: this is good stuff!
Wasn't Mr O wearing socks?
Dave Cameron is a member of just such a "political class".
I agree we should get rid of them.
Excellent interview. Re links between journos and pols (referred to at the end) this sounds like a good cause for independent bloggers to expose. After all we cannot expect the journo bloggers themselves to do it. How about it Iain?
Once upon a time the Tories either had a private income or could rely on handouts from the large companies that they owned or worked for. Labour people had union sponsorship. This meant that the Commons pretty much reflected society.
Just got round to watching this. Couldn't agree more with Mr Oborne.
The eventual answer will have to be on the line on term limits as in the US, but its hard to predict how to do it effectively.
Perhaps a lottery at each election when an MP could lose the right to stand again for 5 years.
That would remove the certainty of a career path - which would get in more people interested in service and less in personal advancement.
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