POLITICS AND POWER
Charles Kennedy, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, examines the problem at the heart of British politics.
4th Aug at 7.35pm
Monday 7th August 5am
Charles Kennedy, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, examines the problem at the heart of British politics.
4th Aug at 7.35pm
Monday 7th August 5am
Charles Kennedy, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, examines the problem at the heart of British politics - the way politicians too often sacrifice their principles in the pursuit of power. He investigates why the political culture can lead politicians to actively avoid talking to the public about the key issues facing the country and what the repercussions have been.
Speaking about his experiences fighting six elections, Kennedy compares notes with parliamentary colleagues including Michael Howard, Ian Duncan Smith, Baroness Jay, Norman Tebbit, Baroness Morris and Jonathan Cruddas.
Among the issues Kennedy examines are modern electoral strategies in which he believes gaining political advantage can supersede the desire to debate significant issues with the public. From focusing on key messages that are 'salient vote winners' at the cost of other important issues, to spending too much time attacking political opponents, Kennedy details the electioneering tactics that prevent frank discussions with voters.
He also examines the growing influence of focus groups and polls on policy decisions and the way in which he believes huge swathes of voters are effectively being excluded from the democratic process through the cynical targeting of marginal seats. He is concerned that swing voters and those seats which are deemed election-winners receive a disproportionate focus of attention to the exclusion of others.
But with elections being fought over years rather than just weeks of campaigning, Kennedy examines the disciplining role of the party whips and the increasing numbers of 'professional politicians' in parliament. He also investigates the influence of the media, speaking to Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, about the way in which politicians play too safe to avoid any bad headlines - curtailing any chance of a real debate.
Kennedy concludes that the nature of politics needs to change if voters are to feel part of the democratic process:
"This is really dangerous politics. Nature abhors a vacuum and if the main political parties aren't speaking to significant sections of the population about the issues they care about and are failing to engage with the voters, other people - potentially extremists - will try and fill it."
Speaking about his experiences fighting six elections, Kennedy compares notes with parliamentary colleagues including Michael Howard, Ian Duncan Smith, Baroness Jay, Norman Tebbit, Baroness Morris and Jonathan Cruddas.
Among the issues Kennedy examines are modern electoral strategies in which he believes gaining political advantage can supersede the desire to debate significant issues with the public. From focusing on key messages that are 'salient vote winners' at the cost of other important issues, to spending too much time attacking political opponents, Kennedy details the electioneering tactics that prevent frank discussions with voters.
He also examines the growing influence of focus groups and polls on policy decisions and the way in which he believes huge swathes of voters are effectively being excluded from the democratic process through the cynical targeting of marginal seats. He is concerned that swing voters and those seats which are deemed election-winners receive a disproportionate focus of attention to the exclusion of others.
But with elections being fought over years rather than just weeks of campaigning, Kennedy examines the disciplining role of the party whips and the increasing numbers of 'professional politicians' in parliament. He also investigates the influence of the media, speaking to Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, about the way in which politicians play too safe to avoid any bad headlines - curtailing any chance of a real debate.
Kennedy concludes that the nature of politics needs to change if voters are to feel part of the democratic process:
"This is really dangerous politics. Nature abhors a vacuum and if the main political parties aren't speaking to significant sections of the population about the issues they care about and are failing to engage with the voters, other people - potentially extremists - will try and fill it."