Paper Parties

Despite the fact that a broadcaster, subject to Leveson-like regulation, has broken and continues to make the running with the Rennard story, the newspapers do not like the Leveson-inspired Lords amendments to the Defamation Bill. They are, apparently, "politically motivated", as if the papers were not, and as if parliamentarians either could or should ever be anything else.

Oh, well, the newsmen have only themselves to blame. They long ago set themselves up as political parties, with full manifestos, endorsed candidates, and identified political, including electoral, opponents.

Within what is now a far smaller active electorate, a dozen or more columnists each has the kind of election-swinging personal following that Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair only acquired on becoming the Leaders of their respective parties, and which previously characterised Tony Benn, Enoch Powell and David Owen. Of sitting MPs, probably only George Galloway has one these days. Whereas any number of them is now being directed out of what was once Fleet Street.

Now, they are only being treated as what they have decided to become. And people who cannot stand the heat know perfectly well where the kitchen door is.