The picture of the Camerons sat glumly in a Stansted departure lounge spoke volumes to the experiences we’ve all had at airports: waiting for ages for the flight to be announced, the inevitability of copping the seat next to some Damian-esque demon child, whose glazed look of mild belligerence will ultimately give way to protracted wailing that will last the full course of the journey. Yep, we’ve all been there.
Except, and this is the crucial difference, we’ve not been there like the Camerons, the Milibands, and before them the Browns and Blairs. Whilst my holidays have been unblighted by images of me kicking the vending machine in Terminal 5 subsequently appearing in the Daily Mail, the Gord had to suffer the indignity of being forced into a casual walk (In a blazer. On the hottest day of the year) with his missus to demonstrate his “real person” credentials whilst surrounded by the lenses of the assembled paps. It must have been excruciating. The Camerons frolicking on the beach in 2009 trod the fine line between “staged” and “genuine” slightly more effectively, but it still felt slightly unedifying to witness.
As public figures and those who have enjoyed the benefits that such publicity can bring, they are in no position to complain if they begin to find the media interest in them oppressive. Well, that’s the argument. In essence, the media are saying that they are like vampires; invite them over the threshold once, and they’ll remain in your private sphere forever, sucking you dry, until your limp and bloodless body is completely drained and you’re only good for articles that begin, “Whatever happened to …?” and quiz shows hosted by Amanda Holden. But the media isn’t responsible for it. You’re responsible for it. You let them in.
I’ve written in the past, no doubt dully and always at length, about how the concerns with modern liberty have been expressed almost exclusively with respect to what goes on in the public sphere. But in all the sound and fury of Jeremy Clarkson railing against the state stopping him driving at 90mph in a residential zone with a couple of lollipop ladies wrapped around his front bumper, have we been ignoring the erosion of liberty in the private sphere?
During the General Election last year, a would-be MP called Stuart MacLennan was dropped by the Labour Party after he made some deeply unlovely comments on Twitter. Around the same time, a Liberal Democrat bag-carrier was relieved of his position after an ill-advised “outburst” on Facebook. In the past, you used to have to be elected as a Member of Parliament or become a “celebrity”, although granted that the application process for that position remains murky, before you were treated to that sort of media interest.
Today, we’re all at it: snapping pictures on mobile phones of Cam ‘n’ Sam looking gloomy in Stansted, scouring the Twitter feeds of political rivals for opinions that can be used to force their resignation or cause embarrassment to their parties. We’re blogging about them and tweeting about them, and occasionally they are picked up on by the broadcast media – desperate to fill a slot between the story about Kate’s latest hat and what Kay Burley “reckons”.
Is it citizen journalism or Foucault’s nightmare, where none of us are really free because we’re watching each other and behaving like we’re being watched all the time? Either way, I hope none of us become famous because, as far as I can see, we’ve already let them in.
Comments
Neil McNaughton / April 11 2011 2:24pm
It's pathetic really. Let's assume for a moment that the Cameron cheapo holiday was not just a publicity stunt (hm.). Obviously they should be flying first class to somewhere exotic (and maybe free - the middle classes often stay in friends' holiday homes. It's normal dammit !). But I do hate this mealy mouthed kind of rubbish that senior policiticains should have to fly economy. After all we don't expect them to sleep in a paper bag on the Balls Pond Road because there are some people who have to. I wish we would stop worrying about politicians' holidays, it is an invasion of their privacy.
But then again.....where were the security men in that Stansted shot ? Perhaps they were taking the pictures.
TimJB / April 11 2011 5:59pm
I agree, it should be possible for politicians to go on whatever holiday they please as long as they are paying for it themselves. Sadly taking free flights and accomodation from friends allows for accusations of cronyism should that friend ever benefit from any government policy. (whether it was solicited or not) If someone can afford to fly first class and wish to do so then why shouldn't they? The answer is obvious; the screaming, mindless headlines in the "popular" press. It's quite clear that at the moment nothing a politician does is acceptable to some section of the media, it's merely a contest to see which section of the media can scream most shrilly and indignantly.
tomtom / April 11 2011 6:22pm
Brush up.... "The picture of the Camerons sat glumly" Should be "sitting" glumly.
Herbert / April 11 2011 7:30pm
TomTom is right - this demonic 'sat' is becoming very irritating.
Dr Kevin Law / April 12 2011 7:55pm
This must be one of the more naive pieces of journalism I have read recently. That or the author is being deliberately obtuse.
Politicians go on ‘prole’ holidays to show they are down with the people. It doesn’t work as we proles know it’s all a set up. But it is thought to work by the Party PR types. So being photographed whilst on holiday is as much part of the whole predictable PR ‘spin’ package. Not only are the Cameron’s of this world aware of this, they openly play along with it. They are no more being ‘papped’ than some wanna be glamour model/actress who just happens to be photographed on the beach in her new, very expensive bikini.
With the kind of money and resources that Party leaders have, they can easily slip away somewhere very private and very exclusive if they want to. And they do, frequently. When everything is signposted in the press and supported by ‘useful idiots’ in the media (certain friendly bloggers for instance) we all know that a PR scam is underway.
That’s all bad enough. But its even more patronizing if insult is added to injury by other journalists pretending these very privileged and wealthy politicians are nothing but victims of a wicked media intruding into their lives.