I'm not sure whether you picked up on this recent newsy nugget, when former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton addressed the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans.
Having been chauffeur-driven to the event she quickly revealed that, while she appreciated what the dealers all did and that it would be lovely to buy some of their wares, she had not driven a car since 1996.
That’s a bit strange for Autocaristas like us, who pretty much live to drive. It's funny, but quickly turns scary when you start to think about it more. The great and the good of the ruling political elite seem to think that driving is beneath them.
In the UK it is no different. I am slightly obsessed by what politicians drive, and my greatest journalistic achievement was a national newspaper story on what Labour drove, or didn’t, in 1997. It eventually led to John Prescott telling me off. Job done then. I really should have another go at the current crop.
However, another national paper did recently look at the so-called ‘red box’ journeys as ministerial documents took a back seat in a ministerial car for no sensible reason while the MPs themselves took public transport or walked.
Indeed, Nick Clegg came out as the minister who most often used a pool car for red box duties even though he has a vehicle allocated to him by the Metropolitan Police. He was closely followed by William Hague and Sajid Javid.
The red box is a side issue, but what we really need are as many members of parliament travelling by car and public transport as possible, so they know what we have to go through during the rush hour commute.
Although it is a personal choice as to whether we drive or not, there is a good argument for saying every MP, if they are physically able, must have a current driving licence. They should also be at least 40 years old and have had a proper job (not a political researcher or something in PR/marketing – or a journalist).
So, do we get politicians to drive themselves? And should be scared about the ones who don’t?
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Pay MP's the minimum wage and
With you Peter !
I generally agree but...
I completely agree that politicians should have had a "real" job before going into government. In fact, I'd go one further and say that they should have had a real, RELEVANT job. Treasurers who have worked in the financial sector, ex-teachers as Education Secretaries and Doctors as Health Secretary.
However, a 40 year old minimum sounds like ageism to me. There is plenty of incompetence above the age of 40. Age shouldn't be a factor - it's whether you're qualified and competent that matters.