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Should MPs appear on reality TV? Should MPs appear on reality TV?
(about 2 hours later)
Sarah Wollaston: 'Mordaunt is using the show to advantage her constituency' Sarah Wollaston: 'She's using it to advantage her constituency'
I will be cheering on my colleague Penny Mordaunt as she takes to the high diving board for ITV's Splash!, especially as she will be combining that with fully representing her Portsmouth North constituency in parliament.I will be cheering on my colleague Penny Mordaunt as she takes to the high diving board for ITV's Splash!, especially as she will be combining that with fully representing her Portsmouth North constituency in parliament.
We so often hear complaints about boring MPs and demands for them to become better role models. Why should anyone object when one of them agrees to take on a physical challenge for charity? Mordaunt is, after all, donating her entire fee for the programme to support the restoration of her local Hilsea lido, as well as raising money for four armed forces charities. Mordaunt is the first and only female MP who is a Royal Naval reservist, having passed out from Dartmouth last year. We need more MPs with real-life experience in the policy areas where they help to shape decisions for the future.We so often hear complaints about boring MPs and demands for them to become better role models. Why should anyone object when one of them agrees to take on a physical challenge for charity? Mordaunt is, after all, donating her entire fee for the programme to support the restoration of her local Hilsea lido, as well as raising money for four armed forces charities. Mordaunt is the first and only female MP who is a Royal Naval reservist, having passed out from Dartmouth last year. We need more MPs with real-life experience in the policy areas where they help to shape decisions for the future.
How many of us in our 40s would be happy to don a swimming suit for the cameras, risk public derision and dive from a 10-metre platform? High diving takes real grit and Mordaunt has the bruises to prove it. Yes, these challenges also take time; many hours of dive training as well as a demanding programme of trampolining and fitness exercises, but she has achieved that alongside her role as an MP. If you want something done, ask a busy woman.How many of us in our 40s would be happy to don a swimming suit for the cameras, risk public derision and dive from a 10-metre platform? High diving takes real grit and Mordaunt has the bruises to prove it. Yes, these challenges also take time; many hours of dive training as well as a demanding programme of trampolining and fitness exercises, but she has achieved that alongside her role as an MP. If you want something done, ask a busy woman.
As to the complaints that reality TV shows demean the role; it depends what you are doing. There is a world of difference between pretending to lap up milk while dressed as a cat and taking on a serious physical challenge. MPs often take on such feats of endurance for charity or simply to raise awareness of an issue – I hope to cycle the 100-mile RideLondon event in August to raise money for Mind – and television lends those causes a far higher profile.As to the complaints that reality TV shows demean the role; it depends what you are doing. There is a world of difference between pretending to lap up milk while dressed as a cat and taking on a serious physical challenge. MPs often take on such feats of endurance for charity or simply to raise awareness of an issue – I hope to cycle the 100-mile RideLondon event in August to raise money for Mind – and television lends those causes a far higher profile.
Reality shows do engage with the public and local champions and role models like Mordaunt help to present the human side of politics and politicians.Reality shows do engage with the public and local champions and role models like Mordaunt help to present the human side of politics and politicians.
• Sarah Wollaston is Conservative MP for Totnes• Sarah Wollaston is Conservative MP for Totnes
Michael White: 'It's a high-risk move that many MPs wouldn't take'Michael White: 'It's a high-risk move that many MPs wouldn't take'
The majority of MPs think it's sheer madness to take part in a reality TV show. But most MPs are risk-averse, and rightly so. They lack that edge of boldness or danger that singles out a political star in the making – or in the process of burning out.The majority of MPs think it's sheer madness to take part in a reality TV show. But most MPs are risk-averse, and rightly so. They lack that edge of boldness or danger that singles out a political star in the making – or in the process of burning out.
Politicians shudder at the thought of George Galloway being lured into a three-week rolling disaster on Channel 4's Big Brother in 2006 – the milk-licking incident is still popular on YouTube. Yet the then-MP for Bethnal Green and Bow survived the car crash, as he has so many. In 2014 he is MP for Bradford West.Politicians shudder at the thought of George Galloway being lured into a three-week rolling disaster on Channel 4's Big Brother in 2006 – the milk-licking incident is still popular on YouTube. Yet the then-MP for Bethnal Green and Bow survived the car crash, as he has so many. In 2014 he is MP for Bradford West.
Nadine Dorries was humiliated on the reality show I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here, being the first contestant to get sent home, with the wrath of David Cameron hanging over her. Like Galloway, she survives by being a mouthy populist whose outspokenness her constituents may admire more than despise.Nadine Dorries was humiliated on the reality show I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here, being the first contestant to get sent home, with the wrath of David Cameron hanging over her. Like Galloway, she survives by being a mouthy populist whose outspokenness her constituents may admire more than despise.
But reality TV isn't for most MPs – and certainly not for those who have yet to establish a weighty reputation. Denis Healey could always pull funny faces, but he was a heavyweight chancellor. Lembit Opik, the exhibitionist Welsh Lib Dem, destroyed all credibility by making so many TV appearances. Jerry Hayes, a Tory barrister-MP with a show-off streak, dodged a bullet when asked to dress up as a penis by the comedian Mark Thomas. He slept on it and said no.But reality TV isn't for most MPs – and certainly not for those who have yet to establish a weighty reputation. Denis Healey could always pull funny faces, but he was a heavyweight chancellor. Lembit Opik, the exhibitionist Welsh Lib Dem, destroyed all credibility by making so many TV appearances. Jerry Hayes, a Tory barrister-MP with a show-off streak, dodged a bullet when asked to dress up as a penis by the comedian Mark Thomas. He slept on it and said no.
So flamboyant Penny Mordaunt, whose appearance on Splash! this month also represents a career gamble, is hedging her bet with a charity cut. The risk remains high, but worth it to an ambitious woman who once toyed with becoming the commuter candidate for London mayor. After all, the Tory who actually became London mayor is a 24/7 one-man, high-risk TV reality show and it hasn't done him too much harm.So flamboyant Penny Mordaunt, whose appearance on Splash! this month also represents a career gamble, is hedging her bet with a charity cut. The risk remains high, but worth it to an ambitious woman who once toyed with becoming the commuter candidate for London mayor. After all, the Tory who actually became London mayor is a 24/7 one-man, high-risk TV reality show and it hasn't done him too much harm.
• Michael White is assistant editor at the Guardian• Michael White is assistant editor at the Guardian
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