James Bond has a lot to answer for.
Every film features power, mayhem and seduction aboard a yacht. Clearly, young George Osborne, David Cameron, and Peter Mandelson took these celluloid messages over-fondly to heart. Without the glamourising influence of 007 these Brits would know their place when it comes to the sea. And that place is on their knees – humble, respectful, clutching life jackets, waterproof clothing and membership of the RNLI.
But these chaps are to sailing what Shellsuit Bob is to a marathon. Perfect strangers. They are men more familiar with the inside of the cinema than the reality of the British coast. So the image of tinted glass, powerful engines, seclusion and serviced sea-bourne sex is not tempered by any kind of reality check. You see Bond-lovers like them on holiday in the Mediterranean. They’re the folk chugging along in look-alike boats without sails (no-one knows how to use them) with miserable expressions and six square feet in which to live, breathe and argue. But a yachting holiday always seems like a good idea because they do it. The rich people with beautiful friends. The allure is so strong that sensible politicians in particular are drawn like moths to a flame.
Tired of the endless round of soirees, surgeries, meetings and seminars. Tired of the irritating caveats presented by civil servant types after each bold, new policy suggestion. Tired of the small thinking of colleagues. Tired of the constituents. Tired of the constant sniping from the press and even the luxury hotel room extras that no longer excite. Tired of appearing powerful but feeling ....... expendable. Why wouldn’t Pete, Dave and George find it easier to relate to the men in superyachts? And so this summer, after years of cycling in the rain and re-using Waitrose poly bags to prove their membership of the wider human race, top Tories were at last invited again to join that shaken-not-stirred, private yacht-going class -- and they succumbed. It was tempting and dangerous. Just like a James Bond movie. Several leading Labour Ministers had lost their jobs after dodgy donation scandals. And opinion polls suggested the public still didn’t buy the Tories conversion to the cause of the ordinary Joe and Josephine. But all eyes were on Gordon Brown. Surely no-one would notice or object if they just......To read more click here.
Comments