Well conference is nearly at an end and I have now had something confirmed that I knew was probably the case anyway, that being that the "young" people in politics, especially the ones climbing the proverbial greasy pole can quite often be the rudest and most poorly mannered people you will ever meet.
I imagine this is probably true in all political parties where the ambitious politicos who desperately want to be in Parliament will always work a room based upon who will get them further up the ladder, or who they can proudly boast about their own over-inflated ego to.
Take for example the illustrious "chairman" of Conservative Future, Mark Clarke. This morning I was standing outside the Winter Gardens with Caroline Hunt (also of Conservative Future), Croydonian and a non-blogging friend. The young Mark Clarke walked over, tapped Caroline Hunt on the shoulder, then turned sideways so his back was towards me and the others (less than a foot away), then turned his head to speak to Caroline.
He gave her some guff about how Sky News had been very glowing of his work with Conservative Future and it was essentially a "look at me" speech for Caroline who he happened to beat in the Conservative Future elections last year. Clearly, I and my colleagues were far too insignificant for him to even acknowledge our existence, and heaven forbid the good manners or decency to say "good morning" - either that or we were wearing an invisibility cloak.
I should say of course that this isn't a "don't you know who I am" moan from me. I couldn't care less if Mark Clarke, or the other person who has blanked me four times this week (including this morning in Starbucks with his Mac and he knows who he is) want to speak to me or not. But in the real world, even if you don't like someone, you should have the balls and adulthood to at least say hello. It's obviously the Christian thing to do isn't it?
However acting like an aloof stuck-up tit and pretending you cannot see the person standing three feet in your front line of vision in the Imperial Hotel just brilliantly exemplifies the very worst aspects of the politico world. Although I should say I have been reliably informed that this year it's not quite as bad as it has been in the past. However, if the cornerstone of a decent society is good manners, then you'd think they'd have some, no?
19 comments:
isn't she better looking than you ? (well to a heterosexual male anyway!!)
haha
I agree. I went to a Bow Group meeting once. Never again.
Dizzy, you named and shamed Mark Clark so about doing the same with the other rude git?
Having said that, your clues left me in no doubt of who you were referring too. Something tells me this is a case of a blogger who does not want to be classed as one, but rather recognised as someone who is part of the established political lobby in the media. Just a thought....
Oh dear, oh dear,oh dear.
Cheer up Dizzy. If I'd have seen you I would have said hello. Then asked you to fix my laptop.
Precisely the reason we need more old Etonians in the party. Too many ill-mannered oiks.
LOL @ anonymous.
The is illustrates the remarkable change of personality that comes across *nearly all* elected politicians, who get an extra dose of vanity after being elected.
Precisely the reason we need more old Etonians in the party. Too many ill-mannered oiks.
Maybe one day...
Don't worry, Diz; the only reason that I'm still alive is that most of my victims don't know who I am...
DK
Nasty vulgar little oiks in ill-fitting Czech polyester suits, with a damp handshake and an eye eternally focussed over your shoulder.
Yes, I've met the inheritors of Conservatism too.
I've never met Mark Clarke, but I did get the impression he might behave like that just from reading his blog....
The same guy blanked me and 5 other guys too...he is not a true Christian, he is (as Devil's Kitchen would say) a cnut.
As someone who has had to suffer Mark Clarke's opinions (presumably on the grounds he considers me senior enough to be of some use) I can confirm he is indeed one of the rudest and most unpleasant young Tories in the world - a puffed-up, self-important git embodying everything the public at large loathe about the old nasty party. He proves the equation that rudeness and pomposity in the party grows in inverse proportion to importance and ability. I weep for the people of Tooting, I really do.
In one recent "conversation" (well, more a braying monologue from him about his unrivalled brilliance), he told me four times that he's sacrificed a "six-figure salary" to devote himself to politics. I eventually cracked and said "I assume you're including a decimal point", before returning to the bar.
This is standard operating procedure for most Oxbridge graduates. Though I see young Mark only managed Durham.
Yes, Tim Montgomerie does like to feel he is more than just a simple blogger with no real day job or anything better to do with his life than preach his nonsense to his audience of equally insane readers. Mark Clarke is a greasy careerist, like so many of his age. Thankfully not all conservatives are like Tim Montgomerie and Mark Clarke and they will be knocked off their perches before too long.
Next but one leader of the Tories in the HoP? Clarke for leader badges could be repurposed. All parties have these arseholes sadly. What is worse is that people who should know better give the little shits a bunk up the greasy pole when they very obviously are not worthy.
Too right dizzy, its ridiculous. I thought these were the people trying to rid themselves of the 'nasty party' stigma. I was blanked also by whom I'm guessing is the mac user (and by the comment he left, abuser). I was also however blanked by his second in command, so l got double the insult. As for Mark Clarke, are you really bothered by the opinion of a man who takes his own make-up to his television appearances?
Great to hear I'm not the only person to have been snubbed by Mark Clarke! In the end, it will come back to haunt him..
I was unfortunate enough to know Mark "ogden" Clarke during our teenage years. I am disappointed to see that he hasn't changed a bit.
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