A Hero And Friend Across The Pond
Just when politicians and agents of Government have made you lose hope that our society was
doomed to the corrupt. Daniel Hannin restores a little bit of trust that not every person who holds elective office is more interested in their own career or Government coming before the people. You may remember him from his passionate speech to the devalued British PM about his wasteful spending. A speech many of us in America wish would take place on the floor of Congress. But I digress.
I'd rather be known as a blogger than an MEPPosted By: Daniel Hannan at May 27, 2009 at 12:30:31 [General]I've just spotted that Newsnight described me last week as a "Conservative blogger" (hat tip, Tory Politico). Tory Politico is cross on my behalf, but I regard it as a promotion. The internet, as I never tire of pointing out, has changed politics - utterly and irretrievably. Whereas 80,000 people a week - sometimes considerably more - read this blog, I'm lucky to get eight watching my speeches in the European Parliament (yes, I make them quite often: they can be viewed here).
I've always regarded the letters "MEP" name as a kind of leper's bell. When I meet people at weddings, I never volunteer what I do for a living. But blogging? That's another matter entirely: bold, questing, new wave. Thank you, Newsnight: I feel I've finally made it.
If only we had more people like this in Governments across the world, maybe we wouldn't be in such a mess. Most members of the US Congress or bureaucrats in DC wear their title and position on their sleave. they use it as a boarding pass for the fastlane of life or even a get out of jail free card in some cases.
But here you have a brave person who not only is standing up for the little guys who make up the silent majority, but he is more proud of having a voice, then he is a title.
Andy Aplikowski
Conservative blogger


