One TV program could change the United Kingdom forever.
Just one week ago, the U.K. made history with its first televised election debate; this week, a second debate aired. The media events were held leading up to the country’s May 6 elections, which could leave the nation with a new Prime Minister.
There are three contenders in the race: Gordon Brown, the current Prime Minister and leader of the Labour party; David Cameron, a prominent Member of Parliament (MP) and the Conservative party candidate; and Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who has been winning in individual popularity polls despite his party’s third-place ranking.
The candidates are nothing historic, to be sure. But the fact that British politics have taken a step in the direction of the American brand of personality-cult democracy is huge. Following, a few changes that could result from the U.K.’s series of televised political debates:
1. Better-looking Prime Ministers
It’s no secret that once U.S. elections became TV-centric, our presidents became more attractive. Taft compared to Kennedy? Exactly.
The same will be true for the United Kingdom. Gordon Brown’s OK, but are we really baffled as to why he’s behind in opinion polls? Let’s compare (photo credit: BBC News):
On our left, we see Brown — looking fine, but suspiciously similar to our grumpy next-door neighbor, Donald. Next, we have Clegg, looking quite like a Prime Minister even in spite of his black horse status. And, finally, David Cameron rounds out the group looking, like Clegg, quite dignified.
Clegg and Cameron have led in the polls. Are we surprised? Not so much. (Welcome to America, British politics.)
2. Better teeth
After the second U.K. debate, the BBC asked a small focus group of women what they thought of the candidates’ styling:
One thing the ladies in (the) group did not like was the state of the candidates’ orthodontistry.
“It was the first time they had noticed Gordon Brown’s teeth.”
It took a televised political debate, but it finally happened: Bad teeth are no longer socially acceptable in the U.K.!
By next election cycle, look for American-esque sparkling white smiles from British politicians.
3. Less policy, more politics
In the U.K., politicians love policy. British political leaders can transition from talking about the European Union to discussing the pros and cons of intervening in Iran to the exact science of global warming like it’s nothing at all.
But in the U.S., elections are won and lost on soundbites — and you can bet those quotables aren’t dealing with foreign policy or the financial sector or fraud. Elections are made in talking about Martha from Springfield, or by spouting off criticisms steeped in cliché. We need something we can blog about, and our political figures are happy to oblige.
Remember what “lockbox” did in the 2000 Gore/Bush election, or what “flip-flop” meant for the 2004 Bush/Kerry race? And of course you recall Joe the Plumber from 2008. All three can be blamed on television — and, specifically, televised debates.
Get ready, Britain! Gems like these are coming soon to a pub near you.
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