Words Dept.: entry

There’s a nice, unintentionally hilarious interview with Lib Dem leadership candidate Nick Clegg in the Observer today. The author, Jasper Gerard, admits he is a Liberal and “unabashed supporter” of Clegg. All of which becomes abundantly clear quite quickly.

Near the top, for example, there’s a shameless attempt to merge the image of Clegg with that of David Lloyd George.

…Few leaders since Lloyd George have imagined they would plant a sandal inside Number 10. For Clegg, it’s still a massive long shot, but it’s a sign of his huge potential that commentators are all starting to hum: could he, just maybe, be the one?

Er, no.

We are then asked to imagine Clegg moving in Hollywood circles, and as a man who occasionally gets into dangerous situations thanks to his rock ‘n’ roll persona and thirst for excitement.

Next week he is will [sic] meet Halle Berry at a film premiere of his mate Sam Mendes’s Things We Lost In The Fire – ‘far more exciting than bloody politics’. Few MPs have narrowly avoided being beaten up by bikers at a hard rock gig in Austin, Texas, with his friends, the Theroux brothers, or acted opposite a teenage Helena Bonham-Carter, or been directed in a ‘cheerful’ university play about Aids by Mendes.

After admitting to greeting Clegg “like the Messiah”, Gerard lands the final sucker punch for those unconvinced that this man really can be the saviour of the party.

If [Lib Dem leadership contest rival Chris] Huhne is the Lib Dems’ David Davis, Clegg is touted as its David Cameron: City father, public school, Oxbridge, yummy wife, nippers, easy charm, camera-friendly.

So, let’s recap. Nick Clegg is not a man who nobody has ever heard of, bidding to be leader of a party no-one will ever vote for. Rather, he already has one foot in Number 10 and is Lloyd George, Jesus Christ and Dave Cameron rolled into one lovely, Halle Berry-friendly package.

Now get me my Lib Dem joining form and show me where to sign!
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