2026-08-15
Well, plenty of people have made careers in politics and become wealthy (somehow - or maybe they were already wealthy).
But of how many politicians can we say that they actually made an improvement for the nation?
Of how many can we say that they delivered on their promises?
In practice the mark of a successful politician is that they are well-regarded by people who take little other than tribal interest in politics, can spout the Party Line incessantly with conviction on any subject, and can fail to get themselves rejected at the ballot box given the immense backing of a major political party.
But what do I know? I only stood for Parliament twice, and on each occasion I failed to find any evidence that the Post Office had delivered any of my leaflets (other than the one that had my own name and address on it - that arrived very promptly to that same address).
So is the system rigged in favour of the incumbents? It's impossible to say, and likewise impossible not to suspect. It is however effectively a closed shop - you have to be selected by a major Party in order to stand any sensible chance. Not that I stood in order to be (God forbid!) elected - I stood because somebody had to stand for sensible and necessary policies, and I enjoyed the experience.
Everyone should do it occasionally!
But would you really want to become a politician today?
