Matt Hancock’s reality TV stint shows how delusions of celebrity have derailed our politics

It’s far easier to get away with breaking the rules when you’re a figure of fun rather than a serious public servant, writes Salma Shah

Matt Hancock and former ‘I’m a Celebrity ... ’ contestant and MP Edwina Currie (Getty/ITV)

Matt Hancock ending up as a contestant on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is, let’s be honest, completely predictable. Though, if I’d been forced to take a bet, I might have said Strictly Come Dancing was a better fit for someone with his unstinting self-regard, but who knows? Maybe the BBC, in its wisdom, thought it wouldn’t be politically neutral to put a former Tory health secretary and current MP in sequins, forcing him to saunter around a generously lit TV studio?

No such qualms at ITV, who have a history of prompting the withdrawal of Tory whips thanks to mini-expeditions in the Australian jungle. While we should all take a moment to relish the absurdity of the member for West Suffolk eating animal anus and testicles for entertainment, we should also remember that this is actually a disgrace.

Sure, the memes of CCTV Hancock in a romantic embrace with a witchetty grub are hilarious, but it minimises just how awful this is. Our politicians are already morphing from public figures to celebrities. They render themselves unserious and less accountable when they turn into glossy, perma-tanned versions of themselves. It’s far easier to get away with breaking the rules when you’re a figure of fun rather than a serious public servant.

This appearance is the latest in a long line of acts that merges entertainment with politics. It is not a trend that should be encouraged. The blurring of the lines between those who are expected to serve with honesty and integrity with those looking to get a cheap rise is a dangerous phenomenon. Sorry to be puritanical, but we’re in an actual economic crisis; what real purpose does going into the celebrity jungle actually serve?

Hancock helpfully explained his altruistic ambitions in The Sun, reassuring us his objective is to bring much-needed attention to his campaign about dyslexia. Seriously?! We all know about dyslexia; we don’t need Matt to do a bushtucker trial to raise our awareness of neurodiversity. Unless, that is, he’s planning on giving all his earnings from the show to a dyslexia charity? In which case I would take it all back.

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It’s an increasing feature of modern politics; MPs thinking they hold public office for career progression. It might be the advancing years that prompt such curmudgeonly views, but really? Reality TV, for a former cabinet minister and serving MP? What happened to them being responsible for making decisions about our collective futures? You have to be in the country at least to understand what’s going on and make a contribution to the debate.

Maybe it’s a sign that he’s given up on his political career and is making his plans for an exit from the front line, but it would have been better to have waited. It’s not fair on his constituents, and it’s why the withdrawal of the whip was necessary and right.

Politicians connecting with the public is important, but there are better ways. Starting with going out and meeting those who are dependent on their representatives to make their case in the legislature. MPs have an obligation to those they serve. Yes, it’s hard work and really quite thankless, but that’s not a reason to pick and choose which bits of it you take on.

All we can hope for now is that Boy George, famed for his straight-talking acerbic wit, gives Hancock a bit of a reality check alongside the other members of the camp who can at least provide a serious counterbalance to the celebrification of politics.