SHOULD we always trust our politicians? Don’t be silly. The antics of Angela Rayner have drummed that home to us loud and clear this week.
But even though they often don’t have the style, fun or glamour needed to boost an Instagram account, our elected officials are some of the biggest influencers we have in this country, and they have millions of people looking up to each and every one of them.
Which is why I find the election of Zack Polanski as the new leader of the Green Party one of the most terrifying appointments this country has ever had.
Not only because he was exposed by The Sun for cashing in by claiming that he could enlarge women’s breasts through hypnotherapy — but because, within 24 hours of taking the top spot, this Green Party goon has given the green light for people to commit crimes.
He said: “A lot of people who are poor have to go around stealing because they have no other option. If I had no money or any way of getting any money or food to my family then I would consider shoplifting.”
What a disgusting thing to say.
By doing so he is effectively justifying theft.
And that is not only a dangerous example to set. It is appalling.
Good, decent, hard-working people are often left in desperate situations where they are struggling to make ends meet but they do have options — they go to food banks, they go on benefits, they ask for help.
They shouldn’t be encouraged to nip to Sainsbury’s and start nicking their groceries.
Crime can never be excused.
Anybody claiming otherwise is simply wrong. And a political leader condoning theft is just outrageous.
He shouldn’t be in this position of power or influence.
You wonder how he would feel if he came home and found his house burgled by somebody who was struggling to make ends meet and had nicked all his cash.
He couldn’t moan, could he? He wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. Needs must, and all that, Mr Polanski.
Or what if a member of his family was held at knifepoint or had their phone stolen because that robber needed to sell it so they could feed their own relatives?
Surely he would see that as acceptable — what is the real difference?
A crime is a crime. And shoplifting is a crime that is destroying this country.
It actually has a knock-on effect for every single one of us.
Financial losses by retailers mean they hike up the prices and the rest of us feel the pinch. It is a vicious circle, one which is making us all skint.
BASIC MORALS
His words on shoplifting actually come in the same week that comedian Graham Linehan was arrested at Heathrow by FIVE armed cops for posting tweets about trans activists. He was arrested for daring to have an opinion.
Sir Keir Starmer later, sensibly, said: “We must ensure police focus on the most serious issues.”
Of course they should. Issues like shoplifting.
But our new Green Party leader actually thought the comedian’s free speech social media posts were “totally unacceptable” and the arrest seemed “proportionate”.
Of course he did. It means that our cops will be too busy to deal with anybody who’s a bit skint and helps themselves in the local Co-op.
Which he thinks IS acceptable.
What is truly terrifying is that this man could potentially one day be in a position of huge political influence in a coalition government.
Polanski has vowed to challenge and “replace” Labour and says that the Greens could now “align” with the party being set up by former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
But if this former hypnotist really has his sights on political power, I would suggest he picks up some basic morals, and learns the difference between right and wrong.
Pay attention here, Mr Polanski, look into my eyes, deep into my eyes, not around my eyes . . . shoplifting is a crime.
Condoning that can never be seen as acceptable — especially if you are a politician.
Tamzin wide to give Mr Ellis the elbow
AFTER Tamzin Outhwaite split from Miranda star Tom Ellis she revealed that she would meet people on jobs who would reveal “more” infidelities and lies the rat had committed.
For a long time Tom said nothing until this week when he finally admitted: “I don’t regret anything”.
She’s well shot of him.
Maddie agony anew
THERE is a terrifying ticking time bomb in Germany right now because in just a few days the chief suspect in the Madeleine McCann case could walk free.
And every parent should be terrified.
Prosecutors believe Christian Brueckner, who has a history of violent sex crime, killed the little girl but they are helpless to keep him behind bars because there isn’t sufficient evidence to lay charges.
Imagine the unbearable agony her parents are enduring yet again.
Experts believe he will flee but that he remains “fundamentally dangerous” and will reoffend because he has not “undergone any therapy or similar treatment in prison”.
And we thought our judicial system was in crisis.
That sick man deserves to be behind bars.
Reign of Mrs Kent
OUR Royal Family wouldn’t be what it is today without Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who died on Friday at the grand old age of 92.
Today we have a generation of younger royals who can speak openly about illnesses and mental health – but it was this lady who paved the way when she opened up about how she had been plunged into deep depression after her son was stillborn in 1977.
It broke royal taboos and raised public awareness. She was a breath of fresh air who did that time and again.
We all remember her comforting Jana Novotna at Wimbledon, but that is something many royals of her generation would not have dreamt of doing.
Maybe it is because she was someone who, when she married into the Royal Family, wasn’t a “Lady” or “Princess” and then for years insisted on being called Mrs Kent.
Without this Katharine, maybe it wouldn’t have been quite so easy for William to marry his own “commoner” Catherine.
What an amazing woman. We owe her a great debt.
Chew love
THERE’S nothing worse, is there, than waiting ages for a scrap of food at a wedding?
So I admire bride and groom Kira and Sam Cowan for choosing their venue in Lincoln simply because it was next to a Greggs.
Kira said: “Different venues had pros and cons but this one had a Greggs outside.”
After saying “I do”, they sneaked off for a sausage roll but were rumbled as the maid of honour spotted a pastry flake on Kira’s dress.
Good job they didn’t have ketchup.
RESEARCH this week showed that city kids struggle to play outside because fewer parks are being built now.
It’s down to cash – obviously – and the fact we need to build houses on whatever spaces we have.
Which is one of the reasons I got my six-year-old into Beaver Scouts as soon as he was old enough. He can explore outdoors with other kids, enjoy some teamwork and go on camps.
But now the woke police have swooped in. Girlguiding has had an overhaul, rightly ditching some out-of-date badges, but adding some ridiculous new ones such as . . . Vlogging.
The organisation really should “be prepared”. Because if they modernise Girlguiding, or the Scouts, too much there’ll be a whole load of parents – like me – who won’t sign them up.
Joni be good
AT first it doesn’t feel like a natural collaboration does it – Topshop going into John Lewis stores?
But after giving it some thought, I’ve realised it’s actually a genius idea.
Because women like me, who love a bit of John Lewis but also reminisce about Topshop’s bestselling Joni jeans, will now drag in our daughters, nieces and granddaughters to the store.
And shove our love for Topshop in their faces.