If politicians were more honest...

Just in case you're wondering why I've suddenly got all serious, this is a piece that I had to do for my course:


Tony Blair has been economical with the truth through fear of being branded “a nutter”.

In a BBC documentary due to be screened next Sunday, Blair alludes to the fact the true depth of his Christian faith had to be concealed so that the voting public would not lose their faith in him.

Alistair Campbell, Blair’s chief spin doctor for much of his reign as Prime Minister, once stepped in during an interview with Vanity Fair to cut Blair off as he began to answer a question about his religious beliefs.

“We don’t do God”, Campbell reminded him.

Our ex-Prime Minister points out in the documentary that it is acceptable in the US for politicians to talk about their religious convictions without people thinking “you’re a nutter”.

Is this because Americans are more accepting or is it because in America, that is what people want to hear?

It is a much more Christian country and a strong faith is surely a vote winner, particularly in Middle America.

When our leaders have a strong faith such as that shared by Bush and Blair, I want to know about it, particularly when it influences decisions.



Allegedly, in 2003, Bush said, “God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq”.

I have my doubts about this and wondered if “God” was actually Dick Cheney, whispering through the walls of the Oval Office.

Nonetheless, Bush’s faith was clearly a big influence in his decision making here.

Leaving religion aside, I am sure politicians have always said what people want to hear to an extent but currently that leaves us with the two main parties in this country, occupying the same middle ground, sharing policies and pretty much sitting on the fence.

This seems to be a result of Labour and the Tories trying to appeal to everybody, treading carefully and saying what they think the majority want to hear.

Any government in power is too scared to make brave decisions, which may be immediately unpopular but ultimately beneficial over a longer period because they are too focused on what will happen in the next election.

Take the drug laws for example – prescribing heroin on the NHS would solve countless problems, particularly in reducing crime associated with funding a heroin addiction.

Unfortunately, the tabloids would crucify a sensible policy like this and no government in their right mind would implement it because they would simply lose the public’s faith.

Admittedly I have hugely extrapolated Tony Blair’s unwillingness to be frank about his faith, to reflect the greater problem of politicians hiding their true colours.

But maybe if they were more open and passionate about what they really believed in, we in turn could have a political system to believe in.