Calling Ed Balls 'the most annoying person in modern politics' revealed David Cameron's true toffish colours
Politicians have to be good actors, some more than others. It's so they can pretend to be something they're not, or to believe passionately in something they plan to abolish, or to care about people they really despise.
David Cameron and his cronies have to be particularly good. They have to pretend to want to defend the NHS, for example, when in reality they are pursuing a programme of relentless privatisation which will see it steadily dismantled. They pretended that the cuts they are imposing would affect everyone. Remember "We're all in it together" ? as if a cabinet stuffed with 20 millionaires is going to suffer as much as a council cleaner thrown out of work, or people struggling on housing benefit, or those heavily dependent on social services.
However, even the best actors occasionally forget their lines, or their performance stumbles, and the same thing happens to politicians. When politicians let the mask slip we sometimes catch a glimpse of the real person.
Cameron's attack on shadow chancellor Ed Balls is an example. It went beyond the usual slanging match, which is sadly so often the bread and butter of Commons exchanges. Cameron told Balls he was "the most annoying person in modern politics", and added: "I wish the shadow chancellor would occasionally shut up and listen to the answer."
It reveals a lot about Cameron. To me it illustrates his privileged background, his Bullingdon Club attitude towards those who are not top drawer, as those of his ilk like to see themselves.
In truth they believe they are beyond questioning, above criticism. They see their opponents as "oiks", irritants who have to be tolerated while they get on with doing what they have always done ? looking after themselves and their pals.
Cameron's attack on Balls was simply an illustration of the real Cameron. His response to Balls's perfectly justified questions and challenges in the debating chamber betrayed him ? snobbish, haughty, ill-mannered and patronising. So I suppose it served some useful purpose.
If Cameron finds it annoying to be questioned by Balls and other opponents, he should prepare to work himself up into quite a tantrum. The cuts are only just beginning to bite, but I am already meeting people frantic with worry about how they are going to manage, or even survive. In the city where I work, Leeds, I recently visited a day centre for people with mental health problems. The centre is one of three in the area. They are lifelines for their clients, offering them the chance to meet people who understand their problems because they suffer the same ones. For some, the centres are crucial to their survival, staving off depression and worse. All three are to close because of Cameron's cuts.
It is vital that questions and challenges are put across the floor of the Commons on behalf of people like these. I hope they will be put to Cameron ? regularly and often. And let Cameron throw a hissy fit if he finds it annoying.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/31/david-cameron-ed-balls-commons
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