Yet more pointless rows have erupted to infest the tragic state that is British politics. Though I shouldn’t be surprised, social media creating intolerable levels of abuse for so many, it is saddening to see our democratic process, at such a vital time, descend to name-calling, rhetoric and hysteria.
One of the rows I am thinking of relates to a speech the backbench Labour MP Chuka Umunna gave to the Blairite think tank, Progress. Following on from a number of Labour MPs losing votes of confidence within their constituency parties, Umunna called on the leadership to ‘call off the dogs’, relating to certain members eager for deselection of ‘moderate’ MPs. I cannot remember anything else from the speech. All I remember is that metaphor, a sound bite for his talk, which has descended into fury online, Corbynites (John McDonnell among them), insulted by the use of such language. Glance over at the Tory side, and you’ll find another scrap, featuring the least diplomatic foreign secretary in living memory: Boris Johnson. In a Mail on Sunday article, he compared the Prime Minister’s Chequers proposals to a ‘suicide vest.’ Given all the potential metaphors one could use to criticise the plan, that was not the best choice of words. Again, I remember nothing else from the article being reported. Two uproars occurred over two metaphors that were, in essence, sound bites. I don’t believe this to be a coincidence. The term sound bite has long been attached to negative connotations. Most famously used in the Blair years, the Age of Spin, it aimed to simplify policy into small chunks, a perfect size for the media and, therefore, the public. There were dozens: ‘Education, Education, Education’, ‘Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime’ and, of course, ‘New Labour, New Britain’ most notably spring to mind. The sound bites themselves are all meaningless. They do nothing whatsoever to change policy. Zilch. New Labour weren’t the only culprits of this tactic, phrases of drivel banded around the airwaves. Anyone remember David Cameron’s ‘Big Society?’ The term is frequently referred to in accounts of his premiership, almost always concluding that it meant nothing. Apart from the National Citizens Service, used by 12% of eligible young people in 2016, in terms of policy direction today, the agenda is as extinct as the dodo. Our poor leader Theresa has also been having a go. Her speech on the steps of Downing Street two long years ago, often regarded as her best, talked of the ‘burning injustices’ faced by ‘JAMs (Just About Managing).’ With Brexit blocking the whirring of ideas in successive government departments, too focused on the previously unbelievable scenario of No Deal, her sound bite has once again taken the path of all sound bites, simmering into nothingness, no help at all for the targeted group. These examples are all while I try to avoid mentioning the writing on that dreaded red bus a couple of years ago… This is just not sustainable. The implicit reasoning behind sound bites is rather patronising, the simple terms suggesting the British people cannot conduct their own research into detailed policies, cannot read sites for greater depth and information, require just a few words to command support of a policy. It implies voters are stupid, reaching political conclusions before entering the polling station based on a few words. While I highly doubt most voters read every manifesto, to suggest sound bites are required because the electorate are so apathetic misses the engagement, and involvement, voters feel and desire. Sound bites also prevent an intrinsic part of our democracy: the criticism and outright refusal of ideas. While I can object to the use of a sound bite, there is very little within the sound bite that can be opposed. Proper policy announcements, detailing change a government intends to execute, allow space to raise the difficulties of ideas, weaknesses of the legislation. Sound bites, with their vague ambiguity, wholly based around words and not actions, deflect from criticism and accountability. Who can fail but to be optimistic about a party that pledges to be ‘tough on crime’, dealing with criminals that cause harm to innocent, law abiding citizens? Through that very sound bite, there is a promise of action, imminently suggesting the government will ensure crime is eradicated and dealt with to the best of their ability. Yet Tony Blair failed to do this, the introduction of ID cards, the surge in the DNA database, increasing extended detention without trial and general authoritarianism causing the innocent public to be presumed guilty. The harrowing issue of gang violence still remains, claiming multiple victims in the capital. Is it being dealt with? Hardly. So, what is the solution. If politicians of whatever political affiliation, were to reject the nonsense of sound bites, what is the answer? Cohesive policy announcements for a start, which honestly address issues to the public, based on consultation and evidence, open to challenge, ridicule and criticism that display how change will be achieved, not just what the party aims for. Policies that set out the incremental steps to achieving the desired goal, recognising the British public are intelligent and therefore having the confidence to clearly explain any difficulties. This, of course, should be complemented by an informative media. Though Britain’s news organisations is frequently (and fairly) slated, I believe the breadth of choice and outlets makes the variety of information obtainable commendable. Perhaps the choice is to abandon our two main parties, a new party still the centre of conversation or forget any coalition grievances and back the Lib Dems. Again, the only part of Vince Cable’s underwhelming resignation speech I recall is, you’ve guessed it, a sound bite, the party aspiring to be a ‘moderate Momentum.’ In an age of communicating online, twitter desperate for another argument, news channels yearning to fill today’s 24 hours, short, sharp, simple phrases of contention may have a gripping monopoly around the Palace of Westminster and beyond. Oh, I give up.
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