What exactly is a ‘proper job’? I only ask because apparently I don’t have one. Yes, despite running two companies (one in the UK and one in the US) which between them employ 26 people, I don’t actually have a ‘proper job’. And I know this because some people in the comments of this blog post said so.
Ok, I’m being flippant, but there is a serious point in this. For many, the mere fact that a person works in the political or communications arena means that their job isn’t ‘proper’. It’s a fake job. One that’s probably quite easy and shields them from the harsh reality of the real world. Yes, if you work for a company operating in the political arena, in public affairs, political journalism or are a researcher, wonk or political advisor, you don’t have a ‘proper job’. Bollocks.
The last time I checked, people who work in those fields which aren’t ‘proper’ still have to pay rent or a mortgage, still have to make time to buy the groceries, still have to balance work and family, still have to do all the other things that employed people do.
For sure, let’s debate about the merits of professional politicians who enter parliament never knowing any other work than wonk, party advisor or SpAd (and, for the record, I’m of the view that such career trajectory is a fundamentally bad thing). But don’t for a second try to contend that any of those jobs aren’t ‘proper’.
Comments
anon / May 17 2011 4:36pm
Shane, you have taken this way too personally, too seriously and your anger is targeted in the wrong place. Nobody who knows what you do would say you don't 'have a proper job' but as you acknowledge there's no denying that many people who work in the political sphere have never worked outside it and make all their decision based on theory and/or dogma, not on practical experience.
The article in question was extremely poorly written and I am very surprised that a website like ConHome would stoop to publishing such low-grade articles which are more akin to an 18yr old's CF gossip forum. I know one person listed on that article who said they were furious about their inclusion because:
1. it smacks of a kid hero-worshipping some people he sees at events and socialising and this is highly embarrassing for the people being discussed, not least when they make some of you seem like shallow, overly-keen hacks
2. it looks extremely cliquey - what outsider would want to get involved in a party when the 'next big things' are all living together, going on holiday together and enjoying 'legendary parties' together and this is made worse by the fact that most of the people on that list are friendly, welcoming and not in any way cliquey
3. if you wanted a career in politics it belittles you by making you look like a politically obsessed saddo
4. if you didn't want a career in politics it makes you look like you're just passing your time in other work
I would suggest that you should complain like crazy to Tim Montgomery, not get too upset by broad-brushed remarks made by those who spend all day commenting on web articles (yes, I appreciate the irony there).
It's also worth noting that the experience of age vs energy of youth debate was had on ConHome yesterday in another article, so it really is the case that this article has served no purpose other than to cause trouble. Articles like this just invite personal attacks and degrade the work you currently do and I genuinely feel that if you and the others ask Tim to take it down he will.
Don't blame the comments, blame the website and the author! ConHome was a great website once!
people of Toxteth, Liverpool, Armchair think tank / May 17 2011 5:17pm
Hi Shane ignore these loosers
a job is a job end of.
in the current climate anyone with a job real or fake should keep hold of it
yes some people think if you are a ceo or MD or something senior that this is not a proper job.
is it and not only that your hard work keeps others in jobs too
and im speaking on behalf of an area with 87% unemployment
Keep up the good work matey,but i disagree with anon's comments this is the perfect place to blow of steam
people of Toxteth, Liverpool, Armchair think tank / May 17 2011 5:19pm
Hi Shane ignore these loosers
a job is a job end of.
in the current climate anyone with a job real or fake should keep hold of it
yes some people think if you are a ceo or MD or something senior that this is not a proper job.
is it and not only that your hard work keeps others in jobs too
and im speaking on behalf of an area with 87% unemployment
Keep up the good work matey,but i disagree with anon's comments this is the perfect place to blow of steam
Ferdinand / August 31 2011 1:30am
Of course politics is a proper job. I just wish some of those at the top of it would concentrate on it and get their fingers out of the many corporate pies they have on the side as "non-executive directors".
No-one is impressed by transatlantic entrepreneur talk 'look at me, I run businesses in the UK and the US'. Well, maybe the rabid lunatics dreaming of getting onto The Apprentice do.