I am not a member of the Conservative Party, nor do I wish to be a member of any political party except maybe the Monster Raving Loony Party or something of that ilk.
However, once in a while one has to wade into the fury that occurs in British politics. Andrea Leadsom has just withdrawn from the Tory leadership race owing to what I can only call, in typical media fashion, Mothergate. Hysterically, it involves the allegation that Ms Leadsom claimed she would be a better Prime Minister than her rival Theresa May owing simply to Leadsom being a mother whose children, she said, kept her focussed on the future. It was a statement that caused much distress, especially as May and her husband are unable to have children.
Whatever really went on, the incident caused me to think about what the leadership race represented both generally and personally, especially where the victor will become Britain’s Next Prime Minister, a title that oddly sounds like Simon Cowell’s newest talent hunt programme.
Apparently Ms Leadsom was “appalled” by the Mothergate statements during her race to become PM. But regardless of whether the statements were taken in context or whether she had asked that the comments not be reported, the fact is they were. In other words, it seems to me that Ms Leadsom does not know how to engage with the media, a necessary talent for any top ranking politician. To my mind, that alone should disqualify Ms Leadsom from party leadership, let alone Number 10. Similarly, I wonder if great power should be given to a dark horse candidate who so desperately keenly wants it?
Perhaps the best commentary of Mothergate a direct link to Isaac Hayes’ Theme From Shaft? Like “the private dick who’s a hit with all the chicks”, is Leadsom “one bad mother (Shut your mouth)?
Yet I suppose I should also be grateful to Andrea Leadsom for one thing. I know recognise that I will not be Prime Minister and that she would be a better choice for the job than me. I no longer need to take steps toward that goal. After all I am unable to become a mother.