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Politics needs characters - Opik | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Voters "like characters" in politics and parties should not "underestimate the power of the individual", Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik has said. | Voters "like characters" in politics and parties should not "underestimate the power of the individual", Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik has said. |
He told a meeting at the Lib Dem annual conference in Brighton that the public "would rather see failed dreamers than people with no dream at all". | He told a meeting at the Lib Dem annual conference in Brighton that the public "would rather see failed dreamers than people with no dream at all". |
But skills spokesman Sarah Teather said personality-based politics could have a "corrosive effect on democracy". | But skills spokesman Sarah Teather said personality-based politics could have a "corrosive effect on democracy". |
It could be used as an excuse to allow sexism to "run amok", she added. | It could be used as an excuse to allow sexism to "run amok", she added. |
Mr Opik has frequently made the headlines for his relationship with Cheeky Girls singer Gabriela Irimina and his interests, including harmonica-playing, aviation and warnings on the dangers of asteroids. | Mr Opik has frequently made the headlines for his relationship with Cheeky Girls singer Gabriela Irimina and his interests, including harmonica-playing, aviation and warnings on the dangers of asteroids. |
'Forgiving' | 'Forgiving' |
He told the meeting: "We under-estimate the importance of the individual in politics." | He told the meeting: "We under-estimate the importance of the individual in politics." |
Mr Opik, the Lib Dem industry spokesman, also said individual MPs needed more freedom from party whips so they could vote according to their consciences on some issues. | Mr Opik, the Lib Dem industry spokesman, also said individual MPs needed more freedom from party whips so they could vote according to their consciences on some issues. |
He added: "We need to be a little bit more forgiving when sincerely held beliefs are not also held by the political party." | He added: "We need to be a little bit more forgiving when sincerely held beliefs are not also held by the political party." |
He said: "We have to decide it's OK for us to have characters, because the public like characters." | |
Ms Teather agreed that MPs' distinctive personalities could be a means of attracting interest in politics, adding: "But it can have a corrosive effect on democracy." | Ms Teather agreed that MPs' distinctive personalities could be a means of attracting interest in politics, adding: "But it can have a corrosive effect on democracy." |
She said toleration of maverick characters' opinions could allow sexism and other forms of prejudice "to run amok without challenge". |
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