“Inspiring” and “Politics” do not, really, feel like words that belong together in the same sentence. But that’s just what Channel4’s Political Awards are seeking to find out: The most inspiring political figure from 2005.
The short-list is interesting. It contains the usual candidates from political parties (Blair and Cameron), and who have made headlines (Galloway). My interest is however drawn to the other candidates.
Firstly, no representative from the Lib Dems. Perhaps unsurprising, since Charles Kennedy’s finest hour was a couple of years before as he spoke out against the war in Iraq. No other high-profile member of the party has stood out in an “inspiring” way.
Closest to the liberal agenda comes Shami Chakrabarti, who has been a constant presence on at least the in-depth TV news (Newsnight and Channel 4 news, if you want to know) ensuring that we do not lose sight of the important principles of freedom and liberty in our democracy that have been hard won for everybody. Blair and the Tories would have us put many of these aside, with increasingly draconian legislation and an almost stupefying ID Cards legislation. A welcome voice who is clearly campaigning for what she believes in, and does so eloquently. Making such points on national broadcast media is difficult without the risk of becoming stereo-typed, and she manages to put her case forward well in the face of such implicit hostility.
Bob Geldof isn’t particularly surprising. I get the feeling, especially after last years Today programme nomination to the House of Lords that he gets this sort of thing a lot. Whilst I agree with his point of view on fairer trade, cancelling debt, and reducing poverty, in the third world, I felt that the “Live8″ campaign stole the thunder of the Edinburgh March. We all know what Geldof is about, and whilst he got the public aware of the G8 conference and its implications, it wasn’t something radically new.
Finally the surprise candidate, Jamie Oliver, who simultaneously silenced his critics and captured the public mood just before the general election, and showed that eating healthily in schools was possible. The government was caught on the hop, and forced to respond with more money. Only time will really tell if there has been a fundamental change in the food culture at schools, but the campaign was both memorable and fascinating TV.
So, for me at least it’s between Shami Chakrabarti and Jamie Oliver. I’m currently leaning towards Jamie Oliver, as he really enthused a wide cross-section of the public into taking action and demanding change on an important matter. Anyway, whether you agree with me or not, you can Vote here before 31st January, 2006.
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