Wednesday 14 April 2010

Healthy electioneering

Have you noticed something that David, Nick and Gordon (not to mention Presidents Obama and Sarkozy) have in common? Or at least appear to have. They all apparently do regular exercise and are keen on keeping fit and healthy.

Barack Obama of course makes no secret of the fact that he takes time out of his busy schedule to exercise. David Cameron famously cycles to work, runs in various charity events. Both do so without causing themselves embarrassment.

Nick Clegg’s spokespeople say he doesn’t have time for a fixed regime but he does take exercise when he can and he follows a “healthy diet”. Interestingly I had noticed myself that each time you see Nick eating, albeit staged managed breakfasts with his wife or cosy elevenses in the garden with his deputy, there is no sign of him succumbing to anything which could be delicately described as an “unhealthy option”. And then there he was again taking fruit from the spectacular bowl on his campaign battle bus in full view of the camera and mid-interview. Is that necessary?

Gordon Brown was photographed jogging recently and chatted about his love of exercise on breakfast TV. Not so convincing perhaps - but nevertheless, gone are those openly smoking, drinking, portly men of old. They, like Bill Clinton with his love of hamburgers, are yesterday’s man.

Once you’ve got over the sight of the security guards and other paraphernalia surrounding them, it makes a lot of sense. Certainly the arduous campaign trail is no place for the unfit with long hours of travel and schedules with no let-up. Those embarking on it should physically prepare themselves well with sound nutrition and exercise. This supports mental strength too. It is exactly the same for us lowly constituents. Managing our commutes, relationships, studies – not to mention all that mental anguish as we decide who we can possibly vote for - is sure to be far harder with a lack of nutrients and a clapped out body.

But the question intriguing me is this. Some of these politicians convince me that they would be following the same fitness regime whatever their status – just without the bodyguards in tow - but for the others it’s less believable. Goodness, even Boris Johnson has jumped on the bandwagon huffing and puffing along in Bermuda shorts like he’s just spotted the last free sunlounger! President Sarkozy went so far as to collapse after a run. Don’t do it guys: it’s not worth it – even for a swing seat! So why are they doing it?

Is all this jogging and public shunning of junk food just a PR stunt because somewhere, somehow it’s been shown we want our leaders to be healthier than the population in general? Well, in my case, yes I do. If they do not have the sense to look after themselves, how can they be expected to take care of anything else to a competent standard? But am I typical?

As a nation we are fatter and unfitter than ever so what is it all about? Gordon Brown’s trainers one journalist remarked were suspiciously “unworn” even though Nike had supposedly not sold them for 5 years. In some cases at least perhaps it’s an almost touching attempt to keep up with what’s required, with what others are telling us to do, when in our heart we don’t want to. Even Obama admits to the odd ciggie. How many can relate to that? And then I wonder how subtle the PR has become.

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