The Archive

Of mice and other mice in charge of the first mice.

Look out Katie Hopkins, there’s a new contender for the role of Fearless Baiter of Political Correctness (more properly known as ‘Massive Twat’).

Mr Godfrey Bloom, UKIP MEP famed for such elegant phrases as ‘bongo bongo land’ appears to be possessed by the spirit of a sweaty 1970’s comedian.

He had declared, ‘“Men and women care about different things on a micro-scale. Leaving the lavatory seat up, wet towels on the bed and the top left off the toothpaste will drive a wife made. A man simply cannot understand what the problem is.” 

And men won’t ask for directions and women always have a headache at ‘that time’. Am I right guys? Take my wife. Please.

Mr Bloom is one of the breed of commentator who seem to think ‘telling it like it is’ is exactly the same thing as ‘being rude’ (*ahem* Clarkson *cough*).

Ironically, these often appear to be the same types who view themselves as the embodiment of an old-fashioned Britain where politeness was first among the virtues.

He also conveniently encapsulates one of my primary problems with all politicians and most journalists – a total lack of interest in evidence.

Had Mr Bloom pointed to a selection of peer-reviewed studies informing us that women never fill their cars with petrol, because they view that as a man’s job, it would be difficult to contest. Although it would make us wonder how any single ladies manage to get to work in the morning – but of course, what are they doing working anyway eh?

But no, happy relation of ‘how things are’ with no references whatsoever is once again sufficient to fill the column inches required by a content-hungry media. Which is ok, if undesirable in media commentators, but rather more worrying in our legislators.

If they are making their voting decisions on an ‘I reckon’ based solely on the experience of their peers, then it’s no wonder that many people agitate for a more diverse political class.

But the thing is this – we shouldn’t need a more diverse political class – just one that is capable of reading and understanding real evidence.

That’s evidence, note, not polling data.

Of course, that’s far more challenging than just assuming life in their particular part of the national Venn diagram is representative of the whole. And it might involve convincing voters of this self-same point and the consequent need to solve problems that may not be visible to the average voter.

In other words, that would require leadership.

Don't hold you breath.

posted by Peter The Great @ 6:04 PM