Authenticity beats high-vis vests in modern politics. But genuine authenticity isn't just showing you can relate to people - it's showing you genuinely believe in something bigger than yourself.
Farage - authentic image ? I grew up in the country , had 5 uncles who were farmers , worked on farms to earn money , I never saw ordinary farmers wearing Barbour jackets nor constantly with pints of beer - Cos play!
My point was just that – unlike a lot of other mainstream politicians – he's still signalling towards a real political project, a vision for society. I didn't describe that project at all favourably... "a nostalgic, exclusionary fantasy of a Britain before Brussels"
I just wish people would look at the person before voting - are they decent truthful, & well meaning with a back story of doing good rather than the reverse
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky. Here's to hoping that Polanski maintains & grows his position in UK politics - at the expense of the ghastly Farage.
Absolutely! Stamp out the egocentrics who are only there for personal publicity and bigger bank accounts. Bring on the genuine would-be leaders who actually care about human welfare, equality and happiness. I'm 76, white British and PROUD to be woke!!!
Very well written article. My kind of politics is the 'old style' Labour Party of many years ago when they introduced the NHS and stood up for the normal people/workers.
Centre politics is 12 o'clock. Starmer is at 7 minutes past the Tories are 15 minutes past and Farage is 15 minutes to one o'clock. They all believe in privatisation and Capitalism.
Thank you for another enlightened piece. Farage is posing with his Barbour jacket and pint, cosplaying the everyman and most of Britain has seen right through the mask he wears in public. Whenever he encounters a journalist (or politician) who ask him the difficult questions he can't answer he slides off and leaves his minders to protect his escape. As my mum would have said he is all mouth and no trousers. The worrying thing is that with FPTP he is still set to win a landslide majority in 2029 and the snake charmer seems to be hell bent on allowing this.
Good read this morning spot on with where voters'currently are I think. And liked comments below. Farage also cheers the illegal hunts on with glasses of bubbles,. If like me you would strengthen the hunting ban Polanaski and the green party seem the only real option - for everybody and our environment.
You are correct about the Hi-vis jacket syndrome. Lammy last week slipped extremely difficult interviews so that he he could wield a spade. Labour is NOT Labour anymore having slipped 5 points right of centre. Love your articles.
That really is of little interest when he is "supposed" to be leading this country into the realms of prosperity and fairness. I am not going to hold my breath.
It is good to know that young people are becoming more aware of the contents and practice of politics, and are more able, it seems to, to guide their way past gesturing in politics. However, it would also be good to hear that there is a growth in the subject of Political Science being taken up as an option in schools, especially at "A" Level. It is a pity that, seemingly, too many schools appear to shy away from the teaching and implications of this subject - one that has serious ramifications for the future of politics, democracy, and electioneering, indeed, a future that moves further away from the gesture and moves towards policy, character, integrity, and due process.
One theory for Reform's surge in support is that it's down to disillusionment with the main parties. People think, 'why not give Reform a go? - can't be any worse.' The main parties will have a lot to answer for if we end up with Farage.
How many of us believe Starmer will build 1.5 million houses by 2029? How many of us believe that the UK will eventually rejoin the EU and fulfil our destiny while remaining one of the ten richest countries in the world. Where is the vision about reducing energy costs when the price of energy is the price of Gas that is all imported. It is time for the LibDems and the Greens to seize the initiative and start to dominate the argument for a better economy giving better prospects to all the population.
Interesting article. I would like to see Polanski blow Farage out of the water. Farage is completely without substance. I have never seen a farmer dress like he does and as for his consumption of real ale, I have heard that in reality he only drinks wine as befits his privileged upbringing
Absolutely. But where do we rate the royal family in the bullshit stakes, post Andrew, Charles’s infidelity, the ‘Unlawful Killing’ of Diana (See YouTube for film of same name) and Mountbatten’s preying on boys at Kincora’s boys home. Time for them to go?
Rubbish, I am a royalist. 37 years under the flag and proud to have served. It will never be time for them to go. From Blair to present day can you imagine any of our PMs being a proper and worthy President. It was bad enough having any of them as Prime Minister.
Btw. And then there’s Facebook: ‘And his team is instrumental in the development of the “People You May Know” tool, which is described by as Facebook’s “creepy as hell tool” for its ability to make uncomfortable friend recommendations, such as when a sperm donor was recommended a biological child he had never met.’
Farage - authentic image ? I grew up in the country , had 5 uncles who were farmers , worked on farms to earn money , I never saw ordinary farmers wearing Barbour jackets nor constantly with pints of beer - Cos play!
Absolutely, Richard – it is cosplay.
My point was just that – unlike a lot of other mainstream politicians – he's still signalling towards a real political project, a vision for society. I didn't describe that project at all favourably... "a nostalgic, exclusionary fantasy of a Britain before Brussels"
Yes Mark,
I just wish people would look at the person before voting - are they decent truthful, & well meaning with a back story of doing good rather than the reverse
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky. Here's to hoping that Polanski maintains & grows his position in UK politics - at the expense of the ghastly Farage.
Absolutely! Stamp out the egocentrics who are only there for personal publicity and bigger bank accounts. Bring on the genuine would-be leaders who actually care about human welfare, equality and happiness. I'm 76, white British and PROUD to be woke!!!
Very well written article. My kind of politics is the 'old style' Labour Party of many years ago when they introduced the NHS and stood up for the normal people/workers.
Centre politics is 12 o'clock. Starmer is at 7 minutes past the Tories are 15 minutes past and Farage is 15 minutes to one o'clock. They all believe in privatisation and Capitalism.
Farage so full of contradictions and outright bs. Do not be fooled by this mini trump.
Great, insightful and a gentle lead into the depths of the reasoning. Oh, you forgot the Mayor of Manchester.
What we need is a bullet-point list to spot the fakers.
Or
As you say, remember how to turn up the bull-shitter knob.
Thank you for another enlightened piece. Farage is posing with his Barbour jacket and pint, cosplaying the everyman and most of Britain has seen right through the mask he wears in public. Whenever he encounters a journalist (or politician) who ask him the difficult questions he can't answer he slides off and leaves his minders to protect his escape. As my mum would have said he is all mouth and no trousers. The worrying thing is that with FPTP he is still set to win a landslide majority in 2029 and the snake charmer seems to be hell bent on allowing this.
Good read this morning spot on with where voters'currently are I think. And liked comments below. Farage also cheers the illegal hunts on with glasses of bubbles,. If like me you would strengthen the hunting ban Polanaski and the green party seem the only real option - for everybody and our environment.
You are correct about the Hi-vis jacket syndrome. Lammy last week slipped extremely difficult interviews so that he he could wield a spade. Labour is NOT Labour anymore having slipped 5 points right of centre. Love your articles.
To be fair, Starmer is a genuine Arsenal fan and has a season ticket in the West Stand Upper.
That really is of little interest when he is "supposed" to be leading this country into the realms of prosperity and fairness. I am not going to hold my breath.
It is good to know that young people are becoming more aware of the contents and practice of politics, and are more able, it seems to, to guide their way past gesturing in politics. However, it would also be good to hear that there is a growth in the subject of Political Science being taken up as an option in schools, especially at "A" Level. It is a pity that, seemingly, too many schools appear to shy away from the teaching and implications of this subject - one that has serious ramifications for the future of politics, democracy, and electioneering, indeed, a future that moves further away from the gesture and moves towards policy, character, integrity, and due process.
One theory for Reform's surge in support is that it's down to disillusionment with the main parties. People think, 'why not give Reform a go? - can't be any worse.' The main parties will have a lot to answer for if we end up with Farage.
On where the new real authenticity could lead UK politics and why - https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/politics/farage-vs-polanski-the-new-duopoly/
How many of us believe Starmer will build 1.5 million houses by 2029? How many of us believe that the UK will eventually rejoin the EU and fulfil our destiny while remaining one of the ten richest countries in the world. Where is the vision about reducing energy costs when the price of energy is the price of Gas that is all imported. It is time for the LibDems and the Greens to seize the initiative and start to dominate the argument for a better economy giving better prospects to all the population.
Interesting article. I would like to see Polanski blow Farage out of the water. Farage is completely without substance. I have never seen a farmer dress like he does and as for his consumption of real ale, I have heard that in reality he only drinks wine as befits his privileged upbringing
Absolutely. But where do we rate the royal family in the bullshit stakes, post Andrew, Charles’s infidelity, the ‘Unlawful Killing’ of Diana (See YouTube for film of same name) and Mountbatten’s preying on boys at Kincora’s boys home. Time for them to go?
Absolutely NOTHING to do with this article! NOTHING!
True but an opportunity to tell a truth
Who was he talking about?
Rubbish, I am a royalist. 37 years under the flag and proud to have served. It will never be time for them to go. From Blair to present day can you imagine any of our PMs being a proper and worthy President. It was bad enough having any of them as Prime Minister.
Proper and worthy? Dunno but if they’re no good they are kicked out. It’s called democracy.
Been thinking. If it’s a President you’re looking for, Attlee would have been good
Btw. And then there’s Facebook: ‘And his team is instrumental in the development of the “People You May Know” tool, which is described by as Facebook’s “creepy as hell tool” for its ability to make uncomfortable friend recommendations, such as when a sperm donor was recommended a biological child he had never met.’