Keeping it Real Lord Winterton

Well, it seems as if one of our brethren in the United Kingdom's conservative party did the unthinkable - he was honest. Technically, Tory, Sir Nicholas Winterton went "off message" when he spoke about not liking to travel with the common man. “They are a totally different type of people,” Sir Nicholas declared in a recent radio interview. He also spoke about the "ghastliness of people in standard-class train cars." "There’s lots of children, there’s noise, there’s activity. I like to have peace and quiet when I’m traveling.”

Now I don't find anything wrong with what he said. Honestly, we would all love some quiet travel time. However, it doesn't really ring true when the Tories have been working so hard to convince their voting Brits that they actually are very much in step with the "common man." Which is why this is less about staying on message, and more about making sure your message is true to heart.

The reality is that no matter how much Sir Winterton rides around on a bicycle - never mind the fact that his limousine followed him, carrying his briefcase, or was educated at Eton - the long established finishing school of the aristocracy and bastion of the wealthy, or married into some estranged arm of the royal family - I lost track of his wife's relation to some long dead king [was "king" supposed to be capitalized?], he is still an aristocratic old man who can scream as much as he likes about enjoying a pint with the working man, but can't escape the truth of who he is.

It is very similar to some of the politico's in these United States that like to talk about being a maverick, or being one with the common man, or bi-partisan, yet still have their hands deep in the pockets of special interest groups and corporate fund-raisers.

So the big lesson here is be true to yourself. If you are, then being true to your message should never be a problem. Nor should being "off message" ever be an issue. All it takes is personal fortitude - which is apparently lacking in most politicians these days. Hmmmmm, perhaps that's the bi-partisan element we've all been seeking in our candidates - personal integrity and fortitude.

So Sir Nicholas Winterton stop trying to pretend. Enjoy who you are and what you have. We all hate screaming kids on our commutes. Take a note from William F. Buckley - and be true to who you are - the truth will eventually come out anyway.

Just be prepared to live the person you really want to be, and accept the consequences for your actions.



Jeff Cannon
ThinkCannon.com