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Exponents of the political tradition in the UK will often cite the weekly theatrics of Prime Minister’s Questions. To borrow a phrase from the British political lexicon, however, it’s more ‘Punch and Judy’ than power politics.
A quick review of the Republican attack ad ‘One Obama’, compared with Mr Cameron’s constant ‘ditherer’ jibe, shows they are barely playing the same sport, let alone in the same league. Where the Americans have two fierce gangs brawling in a dirty street war, UK politics more resembles a school-yard scrap for bragging rights. Political parties are not allowed to buy air time over here in the way that they are in the US, which is a moot point as for the most part they are chronically short of cash; but that doesn’t detract from the inevitable comparison of Obama and McCain as Hollywood to Brown and Cameron’s Pinewood Studios.
Mr Obama’s pulling power is already near-mythical, and his burgeoning cult of celebrity has been well documented. Mr McCain has a certain gravitas about him - a celebrated war hero who could undoubtedly go several rounds with John Wayne - and yes that makes him cool. Brown/Cameron as a spectacle is as glamorous as a wet October in Birmingham – which coincidently is where the Tories are having their party conference this year. Some may argue that just because they’re not slick, charismatic individuals doesn’t mean our boys make poor politicians, and because British politics is lacking glitz it doesn’t necessarily follow that it is dull. The fact remains, however; you’d take an episode of ER over Casualty any day.
See also: Ukraine if you want to Less sexy, please - we’re British
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29 August, 2008 Less sexy, please - we’re British
It may not be a new idea, but as the US gallops towards election season it serves merely to remind us once again that American politics is, simply put, much sexier than British politics.
American politics - with its big money, slick production values and high drama - can be compared to a gripping episode of ER. The protagonists ooze glamour and confidence. The plot has many twists and turns, never failing to leave the viewer absorbed in dramatic tension.
The nearest British offering can be said to be Casualty – a low budget effort whose plot is tragically predictable. Its leading lights are, by and large, held in contempt by the public either for their youthful arrogance or their tired familiarity.
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