CelebBigBro Gallowatch: "I hope, within the difficulties of C4's editing of 24 hours down to one hour per day, to reach this mass, young, overwhelmingly not yet political audience with our simple case... I will talk about war and peace, about Bush and Blair, about the need for a world based on respect. Some of it will get through. Sure, there may be an indignity to be suffered along the way. But it will be worth it." (press release 06/01/06)
George Galloway's appearance in the Big Brother House has caused an outcry. How dare an MP take part in a show populated by self-centred wannabe hotheads? How dare an MP accept a £60000 fee from Channel 4 on top of a £61708 salary (keep track on the drain on the public purse here, second by second). And how dare an MP lock himself away where his constituents can't reach him (the Guardian's had a go, and failed). But those of us who live in Bethnal Green and Bow are not surprised. Our MP's peacock ego is perfectly suited to the media spotlight of Channel 4's top show. Our MP loves nothing more than indefatigable self-promotion, probably even more than most of the other BB celebrities. Our MP swept into power promising much for the poor people of Tower Hamlets, but has has delivered little. And, most importantly, our MP won't be missed in Parliament because he's never there anyway (only 10 MPs have a worse voting record). The rest of you may be shocked by his antics, but we know it's just business as usual. I hope that George's appearance on Big Brother will (at last) show him up in the national media for the egotistical braggard that he truly is. But if his recent election victory proved anything it's never to underestimate the stupidity and gullibility of the voting public. I fear Gorgeous George may be in for the long haul.