You're only as old as the ideas you think
James Forsyth 1:42pm
John Mortimer had a piece in The Observer this weekend bemoaning ageism in our politics and contrasting the treatment of the 66 year old Ming Campbell with that of the 71 year old John McCain. But the issue is not one of age but attitude. In outlook, McCain is anything but old—indeed, he is actually the most modern candidate in the race on either side. No other candidate in this campaign cycle has thought more creatively or more deeply about the two great new political challenges of the 21st century: how to combat Islamic extremism and the need to find growth-promoting, technological solutions to our environmental challenges.
By contrast, Ming Campbell didn’t seem to have had a new thought in years. His domestic policy prescriptions were still those of the radical ramblers. While this supposed foreign policy sage was still stuck in a 1990s mindset. In short, Campbell really was from another age.
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Tiberius
February 11th, 2008 3:17pm Report this commentPoor Ming. Can there be anything worse in politics than risking being the LibDems' version of Rowan Williams?
Faceless Bureaucrat
February 11th, 2008 3:22pm Report this commentWise words, James - never a good thing to confuse age with ability - you only have to look at what a balls-up Brown's 'Young Turks' are making to see the truth of that...
Letters From A Tory
February 11th, 2008 5:14pm Report this commentMing came across as tired, lacking in energy and generally had a very 'soft' persona. McCain is nothing of the sort. If the UK public felt that Ming had something to offer, he'd still be leader of the Lib Dems.
Roy
February 12th, 2008 8:06am Report this commentWho could say that Stalin got better with age, or others we know? The most important thing I would place to be most confident in a prospective leader is for them to be well read. How else could a young Turk gather what's required? Unfortunately in today's world one can be a good actor and get away with what a few years ago would require a Lordships title. In the case of the PM and opposition, with your world as your stage a bit of Scottish wit, a good school, connections and your there. The truth of the pudding though is in the eating, and the taste from my end of the table is rather gross just now.
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