Letter: Right, left and satire
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Andrew Marr's article (8 December) about the corrosive effect of satire on the behaviour of politicians was a useful reminder of why so few people want to be in politics. However there is another, unequal effect of widespread cynicism about politicians: it hurts the left more than the right.
Disillusionment works to the right's advantage - if people believe politicians can't achieve very much, or it is not worth voting because 'they're all the same', then politicians promising to do little but keep income tax down will win the day. Politicians promising a better tomorrow for everyone at the expense of individuals now are not going to be creditable.
Certainly I know that Liberal Democrats win at local level after long campaigns that raise people's expectations of what service local government should provide. However, with most of what was called Fleet Street in the hands of the Tory press, it's hard to expect any national debate to get beyond 'How much is it going to cost me?'
Yours faithfully,
IAN MANDERS
(Liberal Democrat)
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Kingston Council
Kingston upon Thames
8 December
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments