Vexed Bermoothes

The PLP has a rich tradition of blending the personae of Party and Government, driven by the heart-felt myth that their party has a divine destiny to power.  The little examples are legion, from the use of the PLP website to make official announcements to the lavish use of PLP green on Government brochures (which sometimes focus as much on the politician as the public service).

Now, ten years into the PLP’s term of office, new Government-sponsored radio ads end with the punchline “Fulfilling the destiny. Ten strong years.”

The UBP has complained to the Broadcast Commission, and rightfully so.  This little tag turns a public announcement into political advocacy.

The episode also underlines the inappropriateness of having a partisan press officer on the public payroll. Premier Ewart Brown’s Press Secretary Glenn Jones responded:

The Government’s new radio ad campaign makes no mention of any political party, features no politicians and is being run at a time when there is no pending election, so I’m hard-pressed to understand how it can be called ‘political advocacy’ by anyone.

Really?  “Fulfilling the destiny” was a frequent feature of PLP stump speeches in the last election, and was the core of the Premier’s partisan Labour Day address just a few weeks ago (presumably ghostwritten by Mr. Jones himself).  This speech was given in his role as a political leader not as a government one, and intended to pep up flagging enthusiasm for the PLP leadership amongst this important base.  It was political advocacy.

I don’t forget what 1998 was all about … I trust you don’t forget what 1998 was all about either. Everyday we’re working to fulfill the destiny promised to you 10 years ago. We’re not there yet, but make no mistake… we are well on our way … You see we’re fulfilling the destiny. It’s not a straight line. There are distractions and diversions, but we have our eyes firmly fixed on the prize.

These Government ads are clearly promoting the PLP.

I have no problem with the premier having a personal press secretary, or even a personal cook for that matter.  But they should be paid for by himself or by Alaska Hall, not by you and me.