Publicity before security for our political leaders

24 May 2010

In the past few weeks I have noticed a phenomenon that seems to be unique to this country.

I am referring to the habit our politicians have of allowing themselves to be filmed outside their houses and to give interviews in their front gardens.

One assumes that this is their choice as the media hordes could always be kept away by the security forces.

But no, both Prime Minister David Cameron (pictured) and deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg seem to revel in being seen cycling home from the office or leaving the house to take the kids swimming.

Of course, all this is to prove to us that they are just regular guys like you and me.

But I don’t remember Michelle and Barack Obama being filmed coming and going from their family home a few years ago.

And to my knowledge there is no archive footage of Winston Churchill waving cheerily from his front door and being asked “How’s the war going, sir?” by a man from the BBC with a plummy accent.

Call me a cynic but our two new leaders’ houses seem to mirror the men and their parties.

Cameron’s house is a bold and imposing red brick Edwardian property which says - here I am and I’m a success.

On the other hand, Clegg’s is a little cottage in Putney which says - I’m trying really hard but I haven’t quite made it yet. Snobby it may be but Cleggy’s place looks somewhat artisan to me.

All this is most peculiar from a security point of view. I have been valuing property in south-west London for almost 30 years and as soon as I saw Clegg’s house I knew exactly where it was - in fact, I could take you straight there now. In one particularly bizarre telecast Sky News carefully ensured we didn’t see any car registration numbers because it made them all go fuzzy but its reporter was filmed standing right next to the street sign which a blind man could have read.

At least Bill Clinton lied about his affair in the Senate rather than at his ranch in Little Rock

Of course, disgraced politicians don’t resign from Westminster these days.

But mark my words, the next honourable member to be caught with his trousers down will be filmed outside his country estate.

It sure won’t be in the pied-a-terre where the transgression took place.

He will be leaning on his gate flanked by an embarrassed wife and two bewildered children telling us he has decided to spend more time with his family.

That would never have done for US President and king of cool Bill Clinton.

At least when Clinton assured the world that he hadn’t had sex with that woman he said it in the Senate rather than riding around his ranch in Little Rock, Arkansas.

He may have been telling porkies but at least he had the good grace to do it in the right place at the right time.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up here to receive daily email updates from Mortgage Strategy and Follow @mortgagestrat