When I was first invited to write these columns, I was told that while I was free to choose any topic I wanted, there were two that under all circumstances I would be wise to steer clear of.
One was religion, the other politics.
However the very man who dispensed this wise advice recently used his own regular slot in the pages of the P&J to tell us about his time working with Boris Johnson. It was a good read and provided a perspective most of us don’t get a chance to get.
So given we are all equal I’ve decided to break the rules. Just call me James ‘Dangerous’ Bream.
To avoid potential claims of bias I have literally voted for almost every political party that exists throughout the last 20 years and like to moan about all colours.
The politics theme popped into my head after someone posted a joke on social media inspired by the ‘Oor Wullie’ Bucket Trail.
Plotted around Aberdeen, Inverness and other Scottish cities are a range of statues of the well-loved cartoon character painted in different ways, all sponsored and for the benefit of children’s health charities including The Archie Foundation, a fantastic cause.
The Tweet concerned was amusing as it suggested there should have been an ‘Oor Willie Young’. Ex-councillor Mr Young was a well-kent face to many in the Granite City. It seemed he was (or is) loved or otherwise in good measure (using social media as my guide). I suspect that this is typical of our view of local politicians. For those with an interest in local politics we often feel we know these people just a little.
This affiliation is probably because we know something about the councillors, we have things in common, we know people who know them or they have been involved in an issue impacting on us e.g. a planning application, lobbying for a new road or supporting a local organisation. These people are passionate about our area and work hard in the way they feel best.
Now I’ll go up a level and talk about MPs and MSPs. In common with Councillors these people work hard but they sacrifice more. Much like offshore workers and those who work overseas they live away from family for long periods. It cannot be easy commuting to Edinburgh or London and more so recently with their working patterns changed to deliver Brexit.
In different jobs I’ve got to know or meet most of this level of our representatives and believe it or not they are pretty normal too. I’ve found that all of them have gone into politics to make a positive difference and make life better for their constituents.
Now don’t mistake that for me saying that they are the same as all of us or hold similar views. I know people won’t agree with everything Ross Thomson says, or the constitutional views of Kirsty Blackman and so on. However, our local politicians have similar backgrounds to most of us and live nearby, they have families and probably mop floors or clean cupboards at home too. While not always apparent they do understand our local needs and issues. However, what sets them apart from us is the time they spend at Westminster.
The machine down there changes these people, it can create a need to climb the political career ladder or engage in party politics which are necessary to get by. As folk who just go about our lives I think we all believe they should work together more closely across party divides. However, I’ve learned that’s about as likely as asking Aberdeen and Rangers to play nicely together to make sure there are no yellow cards.
A further issue is that as an MSP or MP you are seen as public property. A good example is perhaps the ‘banter’ given to Douglas Ross where his political views are intertwined with commentary on his performance as a linesman at many Dons games each season. I suspect that as much as you ignore trolling and abuse it must be hard to take sometimes.
My real issue is the lack of affiliation I feel with more senior politicians and this is simply due to how they present themselves. This has been brought to the front of my mind with the Conservative leadership process but stands true in the Scottish Parliament too.
I feel watching most senior politicians they are frequently missing two critical traits: likeability and humility. These are traits which you shouldn’t have to try hard to show but I feel the leaders are becoming more pompous and detached, not helped by them using patronising phrases like ‘hard working families’ etc.
We keep hearing about divided countries whether that is Scotland or the UK and us all wanting parties and politicians to work together. However, I’d suggest a good start would be for our leaders to look at themselves and seriously self-reflect to see if they are really like us and to start showing some humility and likeability. If they did this we may respect their various differences of opinion.
Next month I’m planning a critique of all of my favourite religions before getting sacked by the P&J.
James Bream was research and policy director at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce and is now general manager of Aberdeen-based Katoni Engineering