The Waugh Room

Monday 15th November 2010 | 12:20

Joycean politics

Ministers and MPs will occasionally, but very privately, complain that the voters are idiots at worst or hypocrites at best.

But none would dream of going public - as Labour's Eric Joyce has done today* - with a charge that the real "liars" in politics are the voters themselves.

Joyce's cris de coeur looks like it has been sparked by the row over Phil Woolas telling lies about his opponent, although it could reflect the wider frustration of many MPs who are sick of being tarnished by the expenses saga.

Part cod-psychology, part heavy irony, it's certainly a different take on The Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them approach.

Here's an example of his views:

"So why is it that all politicians, apart from me, are such lying liars? Why are they all, with the same caveat, such cowardly cowards? What’s so wrong with democracy that it only elevates to public office scoundrels and never the pure (me aside)? It’s a puzzle.

"It occurs to me that, just for laughs you understand, it might be worth taking a look at these questions through the other end of the telescope. What if it were the case that our democratic system does not systematically and dysfunctionally send just the scum of the earth to Westminster? 

"What, instead, if it were true that many people were living lies and using politicians as a means of exorcising their own demons of guilt and frustration; politicians the vessel for their own imperfections?"

The voter 'lies' that Joyce identifies cover issues such as personal drug use, views on taxation levels, their own personal racism and even (gulp) paedophilia.

It's certainly true that polling shows that the public hold contradictory views on policy. They will frequently say they want more spending on public services yet not want to put up taxes. They don't like 'postcode lotteries' yet agree that Whitehall shouldn't run everything.

But Joyce seems to be going further. Here's his summary:

"Here’s the truth. It’s hard to lie as a politician because everything we say is subject to enormous scrutiny – we’ll get found out even if we wanted to lie in the first place. But politicians know the lies a lot of people live and they pitch to you accordingly. There’s a lot of lying going on, for sure. The letters-page paragons are right in that respect. But they might want to reflect on who is really doing the lying."

Now let's see what the public make of that....

 

*FOOTNOTE: On the same LabourUncut site, I note that the excellent India Knight writes today on how MPs can at least try to better connect with the punters. As she points out, blogging and Tweeting can actually help - as long as it's authentic.

 

UPDATE: 

Tory party deputy chairman Michael Fallon, an avid reader of this blog I understand, is quick to stick the boot in:

“This extraordinary online rant demonstrates contempt for the electorate. Yet again, it calls Ed Miliband’s judgement into question. Only a few weeks ago he appointed Eric Joyce to Labour’s front bench.”

The Falkirk MP certainly has a colourful history. In April he Tweeted: ‘I hate politics, I really do. I'm crap at it'. 

In 2008, he claimed almost £187,334 in expenses, making him the highest expenses claimer in the Commons.

In October 2008, he was banned from driving after being caught doing 81 mph on the M9.

 When he was a Major in the army, he was suspended for a series of articles and interviews in which he accused the army of snobbery and public school bias.

 

6pm UPDATE: Mr Joyce has now issued a statement of clarification:

"I was simply saying that issues are not always as straightforward as they seem. I have the highest respect for the public and I would never insult voters."

I'm told the whips are also set to have a firm word in Mr Joyce's shell-like. Or as the Met Police would put it (re the riot cock-up last week), an 'interview without tea or biscuits'.