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HOW dare Andy Burnham use up precious parliamentary time to interfere with The X Factor? In the Commons this week he blasted the judges who voted out the Bolton gal Laura White and kept in the Spanish belter Ruth Lorenzo (my favourite). But this, Mr Burnham, is basic democracy. Laura and Ruth came bottom in the viewers' vote. The four judges then made the final decision.
Yet it didn't take long for shadow chancellor George Osborne to join the clamour, kerchief in hand: "I was really sad to see her go." Last month Gordon Brown said he loved the show and had bought a CD made by finalists for his wife's birthday; David Cameron was seen dining with Simon Cowell earlier this year. The PM has also supped with the X Factor impresario.
It was Tony Blair who started this unseemly scramble by politicians to show that they are plugged into popular culture. In 1998 Blair promised he would try to get Deidre Rachid of Coronation Street freed from her fictional jail to placate distraught viewers. Not to be outdone, Mr Brown has claimed at various times to be a fan of the Arctic Monkeys, Leona Lewis, Coldplay, the Bee Gees and the Beatles. And he piled in when the England-Croatia match was only available live on the Irish pay-TV channel, Setanta.
Modern politicians do this to appear cool and with it, connected. But even when there is a real and proven interest in some aspect of popular culture - Tony Blair with his guitar and love of pop, Alastair Campbell and his football craze - when they join in with the people's fancies, these enthusiasts sound false and manipulative. They are political liggers looking for a free vote.
Soon after he was filled with champagne by the Blairs in Downing Street, the dour Noel Gallagher of Oasis said: "People would rather vote for celebrity talent shows than for political parties." But instead of making politics more appealing, our politicos have chosen instead to join in with the adulation of celebs. Already, the twinkling Lib-Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable has declared his ambition to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.
Get a grip, chaps. With a recession on, you don't have time to watch reality TV or soaps - and even less to quibble with election results that viewers really care about.
Reader views (5)
Who is ruling this country ? Thats an easy one to answer. "Absolutely no one " we are just drifting from crisis to crisis whilst the politicians of all parties are frozen in the headlights. They have not got a clue.
- Michael, London
So the fact that people were ringing and couldnt get thru is ok Yasmin blah-blah-whatever? keep yer nose out, if Andy burnham wants to bring it up in the commons then thats his perogative, if you dont like it dont comment about it on here, go see Mr Burnham and have it out with him, in the privacy of his office or bring it up in the commons yourself - you are a politician i take it? No?....I wouldnt have guessed- I'm not normally a sexist but on this occasion - stay at home in the kitchen dera, much better for you eh?
- Nick Weston, Barnsley, South yorkshire
Jasmine - you do n't have the X-Factor either.
- Anglo, Sussex UK
Leona Lewis had more people vote for her than have ever voted for Gordon Brown. Perhaps he should take the hint? I'd vote Brown off tomorrow!!!
- Martin, Ashford
Who is ruling this country?
- Helen, norwich
