George ain't so gorgeous (From Gazette & Herald)

George ain't so gorgeous

George Galloway's antics on Celebrity Big Brother might have brought shame upon politicians, but, then, they've been bringing shame upon themselves for a long, long time, says HANNAH GIBBONS.

GEORGE Galloway pretends to lick invisible cream off another adult's hands. Not only can he do that, but he also purrs, miaows and slinks around on all fours - surely every citizen's dream qualities for the MP who will represent them in Parliament.

His foray into the Celebrity Big Brother house for the past fortnight was in order to "bring politics to the kids" and has certainly done just that. Yes, 92 per cent of the "kids", according to a poll on Radio 1, "hate" George Galloway. And, while I'm open to the possibility that Mr Galloway made some fascinating political points during his time in the house that simply hit the cutting room floor, in general, I would agree with the kids. He is, frankly, an irritating, patronising and poorly-dressed old man, who would prefer to wear a leotard, don whiskers and ponce around on a reality TV show than be around to represent the people who elected him as their MP (and who must be regretting that now).

Now that the "kids" have seen what politics looks like, in the flesh, so to speak, I don't suppose they're all that impressed. And now, thanks to Big Brother and the publicity that's surrounded it, they are alert to the fact that George Galloway has managed to make a mockery of politicians.

Actually, that's not true at all. It seems that politicians have been making a mockery of themselves since time began - everyone's been re-digging the dirt on the squalid affairs, substance addiction and dodgy dealings of the powerful in the past, and it's depressing reading. But just take a look at the story now - the Liberal Democrats have all but collapsed after countless public scandals, there are certain rumours about the leader of the Conservatives and the Prime Minister, well! I saw him on TV playing the guitar in public the other night - the shame! Cause for an ASBO, surely?

Can't they all be gentile gardeners, avid pinball players or just big Emmerdale fans? To me, it seems that politicians are, without exception, condescending hypocrites. They want us to live calmly, inoffensively and according to the law of the land, but seem to find it darn tricky to follow their own teachings. Of course, I'll vote when the time rolls round (Emmeline Pankhurst's ghost would haunt me were I not to) but if it's a choice between this sleazebag or that one, then maybe a little abstention box might be nice to tick.

Updated: 09:34 Wednesday, February 01, 2006