Who Are These People?

There is a belated postscript to the post on the subject of Hazel Blears and her deep concern over the demolition of British democracy attributable solely to ‘everybody else’.

I know of a manager who, whenever he entered his department, was immediately aware that the atmosphere in the room was extremely negative and wanted to know who was responsible. It never occurred to him to consider the possibility that the atmosphere only deteriorated when he came into the room.

Another example of this scenario was played out on the Radio 4 Today program on the morning of November 26^th, when John Humphries brought Hazel Blears and Michael Dobbs together. Hazel Blears repeated her mantra that MPs were being unfairly represented by the media and were, with a few exceptions, well-meaning and well-intentioned people with the interests of the country at heart. Using one of those phrases that summarises briefly and accurately a complete range of observations Michael Dobbs replied simply ‘it is not your motivation I question but your competence’.

Does the general public really think that all MPs are self-seeking and corrupt? I doubt it. However, does the general public believe that all MPs are capable, able and efficient? Are they necessarily knowledgeable, trained and eager? Do they feel responsible, empathetic and sympathetic? It is a demanding list but surely fits part of the job description. I am not at all sure that the public at large, as the employer in this case, is as confident that the resume of its staff incorporates very many of these qualities. Would Hazel Blears be happy to tick all these boxes on her own behalf and on behalf of all the MPs in the House of Commons?

I wouldn’t, and nor, I suspect, would Michael Dobbs.