Mistrust of Politicians

It seems cruel beyond excuse, the man is so easy to criticise that one wonders whether there should not be a law against it. None the less I cannot resist. Roy Hattersley in the Guardian:

I took it for granted that I was on the winning side. We had triumphed in the arguments and our leaders were far more attractive and articulate than their opponents.

So we won the argument but the stupid people voted against us anyway. I love the deep conviction that our politicians hold for the cause of democracy. The people are always right unless they disagree with us.

Clearly, at least for the time being, the idea of a North East assembly is dead. But if devolution was right and necessary on Thursday morning, it was still right and necessary on Friday afternoon. And I cannot pretend otherwise. What is more, I do not believe that the North East is opposed to regional assemblies. It did not vote against devolution. It expressed its distaste for politics and politicians.

The people gave their verdict but because I believe I was in the right, I cannot accept the decision of the people. In fact I do not even believe it. As a member of the elite, the peasants should have accepted what I in my superior wisdom was trying to tell them. This is despite the fact that the peasants, according to no other person than himself, have just given the message that they hate politicians. Anyone more rational on hearing such a message would just shut up.

The cynical majority asserted, without doubt or apology, that the new tier of government would become a vehicle for institutionalised corruption. They anticipated inflated expenses, worthless foreign trips, lost-earnings allowances for meetings that never took place and salaries far higher than the recipients could hope to earn in any other job.

How do they get these ideas into their heads. Its not like the European Parliament is full of nobodies and politicains beyond their sell by date, claiming far to much money, and stealing when that does not suffice. In fact had the Scottish Parliament cost ten times its original budget, this level resistance would have been understandable. No wonder Mr Hattersley is such a strong proponent of European Union. He knows whats right for us whatever we think. The sad thing is that his conclusion is right. The people mistrust those who seem to have no beliefs or principles. Unfortunately you have to read his views on the proles first and put up with his cleverer than thou idiocy.