Mo Farah has decided to employ the services of a PR firm to help him overcome any damage from being inflicted on his reputation over missed drugs tests. This proves that reputation is as important to individuals as it is to any organisation. Meanwhile the four contenders for the Labour leadership have debated live on TV during the first of several issues that will take place over the coming months.
So what can we learn from the political news this week?
- Everyone can get involved in politics. The parties have previously experimented with open primary selections and now Labour is open to registered supporters to take part in the leadership vote. Who could fail to be attracted?
- Don’t underestimate Jeremy. Mr Corbyn got most of the applause during the debate but by pushing, in a broad sense, an Ed Miliband style agenda that the electorate didn’t feel motivated to vote for.
- The European groups are starting to coalesce. Both pro- and anti- groups are now starting to take shape and the names of the those involved are becoming public knowledge. The man that many wished had been Labour Party leader (despite the fact he didn’t stand), Alan Johnson, will be leading the pro-EU campaign for the party.
- Parliament costs a lot. Well, putting it back into shape will cost a lot. The costs will be less if MPs move out for a couple of years which raises the prospect of a Parliamentary roadshow making its way around the country. This may come as a shock to many Southern-based Parliamentarians.
- Boris’ indestructability is being tested to the limit… by Boris. Despite controversy never being far away, Boris has so far always managed to survive. Whether it’s insulting the people of Liverpool or getting stuck on a zip wire, his popularity remains high. It is possible that swearing and being hugely insulting towards a cab driver may be more damaging.