Paper from Allan Murfet
The following are my opinions on some of the
range of issues raised in Peter Hain's letter of 12 February 2004.
Politicians and politics have been affected
by the information age (Toffler's "Third Wave") much
as other professions. Alongside professions such as medicine,
the law, teaching and social work, politics has been subject to
the general processes of exposure, demystification and familiarisation
and an attendant waning of public respect. For example, it is
perhaps no coincidence that the percentage voting in general elections,
following the start of televising Parliamentary proceedings, has
shown a marked fall for almost all age groups.
My recollection of the '60s to the mid-'80s
is of a general public which on the whole respected "professionals",
acknowledged good service and valued those who served us well.
This situation has evolved over the years to one where celebrity
rules and most of us seem to have a much greater sense of entitlement.
Our critical perspectives of those who serve us appear as much
driven by media opinion as by our own experiences.
I wish for more tolerance and rationality but
have no desire to turn back the clock. I endeavour to move with
the times, enjoy new technology, embrace new ideas and retain
my core values. What I look for in politicians is for evidence
of a similar stance.
Politics and politicians are sometimes in the
business of seeking the better of several bad options. The range
of external pressures and internal demands and desires must at
times make it very difficult to demonstrate clear focus and enthusiasm
for causes. Nevertheless, failure to show clear focus and some
passion for causes seems fatal for a politician. To retain credibility
and some hope of popularity politicians need to use publicity
and image management and seek celebrity. An MP is unlikely to
be able to serve his/her constituents without so doing. It is
where real influence lies.
I do not believe that restructuring parliament,
increasing exposure to proceedings, or improving access for the
public will reengage people. It is not about systems and structures.
It is all about how politicians are seen and believed to behave.
I believe that my current MP, Martin Salter, understands these
concepts, certainly they seem evident from the way he conducts
his work. He is an excellent communicator, an unashamed publicist
of himself and his causes and a constituency MP par excellence.
He listens and he acts on constituents' concerns and will often
link individuals' issues into wider campaigns. Consequently, what
one experiences of him through personal contact and through national
and local media is generally consistent, coherent and positive.
Perhaps parliament needs a few Martin Salters
to provide seminars and coaching for MP colleagues.
February 2004
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