Lowest Common Denominator Politics

As an alternative to a 'class war' (or perhaps as a consequence of such) both Labour and the Conservatives are firing broadsides at each using a form of populist drivel as their main ammunition. However, the following campaign billboards should be villified as they involve the exploitation of a pair of young, entertaining irish lads.

Besides the fact that both posters are slightly mocking of the twins for no good reason, I find this all rather gauché. Gauché, yet theoretically useful - tapping into the public consciousness to gain votes, a form of meme-warfare. However, I think it is more likely the sign of a political elite that is out of touch with the hoi polloi yet desperate to look appealling. Hence this; lowest-common denominator politics.

Those interested in the X-Factor will be slightly amused but will remain indifferent to the political subtext, and those who are not interested in shows like the X-Factor will be derisive of either party. Both camps, I believe, will ultimately find this is harmful to British politics; nothing is said of policy. It serves only to make politics a sort of childish tit-for-tat squabble rather than the rational debate it should be.

On the other hand, why blame politicians for tapping into the vein of what British people find important? Forget the economy, wars abroad and the EU, what we're really interested in as a nation are the extent to which we think one person seeking fame (but lacking the drive to do the hard work themselves) are better than other, equally vapid examples of the same. Although of course it could be argued that the British public have became politics-weary, it is odd that we seemingly never tire of glorified talent shows.

So, does this bode well for the next General Election? The under-emphasis on policy in campaigns draws parallel with EU elections. European elections are, and always have been, a complete free-for-all; voters take into account all factors from the weather to some obscure historical squabble, indeed taking into account anything except the policies being voted on. British politics is rapidly becoming based on faddy 'spin' or hackneyed class stereotyping.

The two main parties, I believe, are as bad as each other. The only thing that I can say in the Conservatives' defence is that their photoshopping skills are superior. However, from a party that considered it 'hip' to have Mike Read deliver a ten minute-long political rap I'd say it is a slight improvement. However, too much of the 'resurgent conservatism' stems from bandwagoneering - the Conservative poster was 'inspired' by the Labour one, and even David Cameron himself seems like a purpose-built response to Blair, only ten years too late.

As one man aspires to ascend into the void left behind by Blair, another makes it painfully clear that he in no uncertain terms cannot fit the mold. Gordon Browns' attempts to emulate the suave 'premiership' of Blair are akin to watching the chimpanzees in the PG Tips adverts - both are attempting to aspire to something better but are genetically incapable of doing so. The transition from media-savvy Blair to PR disaster Brown was jarring - to see Brown appear on British television and mumble some half-hearted nonsense about Britains Got Talent (after having tried to rub fake tan onto his grey, undead flesh) is horrific.

Whether or not this highlights a dumbing-down in politics, or a dumbing-down of the people, the question remains: what has happened in contemporary politics? Politics should return to an old-fashioned intellectual debate on ideology, policy, implementation etc, rather than using the latest flash-in-the-pan fad to appeal to voters. Otherwise we would really just be as well getting Simon Cowell to choose our next government.