A great absurdity shrouded Westminster last weekend. The Prime Minister, with an overall approval rating between 40 - 43% (ICM/Populis), witnessed segments of the press claiming his resignation was possible. The same ICM poll concluded that voters were not really concerned with phone hacking; they're rather worried about the economy, jobs and the NHS. Still, odds of his departure were 2/1 at one point on Monday.
I have to agree with Matthew Parris, writing in The Times, the phone hacking scandal was entirely blown out of proportion. The desperation of the Labour party and others to associate it directly towards the Prime Minister failed to register deep resentment with the public. Never have I witnessed so much mass hysteria and levels of insanity in my life; journalists fail to recall the Conservative Party's electoral success after Coulson resigned January over phone hacking at the News of The World. Much as I admire the BBC, it is worth pointing out the corporation were quite close to breaching neutrality on several occasions. Of course, the press were settling old scores with News International and it did effect the overall broadcasting and coverage of the story. There was a desperation to keep the story alive, which was inevitably going to cease sooner or later.
The emergency session of Parliament highlighted that air of desperation even further. Andy Coulson and BSKYB deal were the only questions, repeatedly, asked to the Prime Minister by the opposition. A tedious and utterly arduous display of political vanity was quite an insult to our Parliamentary history. Ed Miliband failed to make an real significant break through, with the Prime Minister pointing out two controversial figures within Miliband's media team; both of them worked for two different papers, who have been mentioned in this scandal. If accusations are levelled and proven true, at The Times and Mirror, Ed Miliband might require a new Director of Communication and Director of News. But would it damage him? Within the Westminster village, yes, however I doubt the voters will react scornfully. The political ramifications are not serious because the public are aware of the relationship between politicians and the press. This is nothing new for the public to consume, unlike MP's expenses where we were blind to the secrecy and corruption of Parliament.
Hopefully, though, our politicians can now mature and discuss serious matters without fearing journalists. The political and economical justification for legalising drugs, amnesty for illegal immigrants, productive relations with Europe and genuine constitutional reform are areas the press would normally turn hostile over. Will it happen? I'm not sure in the short term it will. The next Parliament might become a more friendlier environment for such discussions.
With the hacking scandal finally off the front pages and news cycles, how about we solve the debt crisis in Europe and the famine in Northern Africa? You know, more important issues.