They're only in it for themselves

I don't know if you've noticed, but there have been a succession of journalists and commentators moaning about Labour's infighting at a time when Britain needs some leadership during the current economic turmoil. Essentially the complaint is the same - all this bickering is putting national interest at stake.

The presumption of this argument is that the national interest takes precedence in the minds of politicians above their own self-interest. Well, here is some news for all those people.

It doesn't.

Nothing is more important to the vast majority of our politicians than safe-guarding their own future. The growing chorus of calls from various Labour MP's for a change in leadership is not motivated by concerns over Britain's future, but the possibility that they might lose their seat and, therefore, a very cushy little job.

Labour had every opportunity a year ago to have "the debate" about who was going to lead them. They chose not to. We were all aware then that there was an impending economic crisis on the horizon - many of us were convinced it was already here - but that did not seem to bother these "rebels" back then - but back then they weren't 20 points behind the Tories in the polls.

Now, suddenly, it's the all important issue? Quite a coincidence, don't you think?
There was a belief, once, that having a class of professional politician would be good for this country, but this is a mistaken belief in my opinion. When you rely on politics for your career then that career becomes more important than the politics. Our MP's used to be made up primarily of people who were already in established careers or had already had an established career - often in the military. As such they were really motivated by a sense of public duty.

Now they almost entirely come from a class of professional politicians. Their motivation now is self-interest.