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Which Celebrity or made-up character do you want running the country?

There are plenty of countries, almost all democracies, where individuals from the tough world of show business, movies, or the Yartz end up getting elected on populist platforms. Some don't do that bad a job; Arnold Schwarzenneger, who always was a clever man, hasn't been as bad as any of California's worst governors, for instance. People had time for Jesse Ventura, though admittedly Joseph Estrada in the Philippines wasn't a good example. Like Ronald Reagan, he did rise on celebrity status though. The Indian election has thrown up loads of celebrity politicians, and both Jack Kemp in America and Imran Khan in Pakistan started off in sports.

Populist moments throw up celebrities who can, bizarrely, contrast their own glamour against politicians tarred with graft charges or incompetence. So, in light of the news that Esther Rantzen, a consumer campaigner and retired TV figure is contemplating standing for Parliament against Margaret Moran in Luton, which celebrity, made-up character, comedian or person off the telly would you most like to see in Parliament, either in the Lords or the Commons?

Here are a set of ridiculous suggestions, which are given very light-heartedly. You know as well as I that they are going to end up happening though. The best thing is that I know this drives political obsessives up the wall; one of them threatened to kill me a while ago on Bob from Brockley's site when I praised La Lumley.

1) Shouty Thespian Brian Blessed.
2) Joanna Lumley, of course.
3) Esther Rantzen
4) Doctor Who (any incarnation including Colin Baker for a laugh).
5) The evil Master off of Doctor Who played by John Simm, and possibly a Dalek or Cyberman--but no Zygons, Silurians or Sea Devils. Their time is over.
6) Robert Hardy, Donald Sinden, and Albert Finney. And Anthony Hopkins.
7) David Beckham.
8) Susan Boyle.
9) Mrs Mary Honeyball MEP, but only if she runs with Richard Littlejohn.
10) Sir Michael the Lord Commodore Caine or Chief of the Clans Sir Sean Connery, speaking from a mountain hideout in Bermuda.

Here's what the revolution will look like.

Comments

Conservative Cabbie said…
From a non-libertarian standpoint, can I propose the Borg Queen from Star Trek Voyager. She'd instill a bit of much needed discipline and cohesion.

Linking to this post in my comments section.
5:57 pm
Martin Meenagh said…
Resistance is futile. We will be assimilated... Would her head be lowered to the despatch box to join with her body?

What happens if lore or hugh the borg turn up, or if capita is given the contract to run their neural net?

OK, way too many star trek in-jokes there. I mean, haha, next we'll be talking about the underused species 8472. I bet you they're Lib Dems.
8:05 pm
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