They are like twins: Reform and the Greens are the two ugly sisters of politics |
A howl of righteous indignation from the right-wing commentariat rose to defend Malcolm Offord last week after he’d crowed about the extent of his personal wealth. During an exchange with Ross Greer in the STV leaders' debate Mr Offord had boasted of having “six houses, five cars and six boats.”
Reform UK’s Scottish leader was trying to make a point about the rewards of hard work and the benefits accruing from our once-great education system. “I don’t say this to boast,” Mr Offord said, “but to ask you this question, Mr Greer: in your Scotland, do you want more people like me or fewer people like me?” Mr Greer replied: “Fewer people like you.”
This response elicited some spluttering among Mr Offord’s media lickspittles. We should all be celebrating this man; not denouncing him, they said. All of them chose to miss the point, of course. No-one was begrudging Mr Offord his wealth and success. Rather, they were repelled by the arrogant conceit of the man and mocked him accordingly. To brag loudly about unimaginable wealth in a country where social inequality and multi-deprivation rages, is proof of profound defects in character.
Two of my closest school-friends, Steven and Gary, also took the road to London in the 1980s and rose to become CEOs of global entities. On their rise to the top they were helped by natural charisma, their God-given abilities and some sharp communication skills, all of which had been refined by their education in the west of Scotland comprehensive school sector. I suspect their personal wealth runs to several millions, but they would rather have their arms cut off than boast about this in the manner of Malcolm Offord.
You're playing with fire, Mr Swinney: do you want to be the next David........