Do politicians need sex appeal to be successful in these social media times?

I will settle for integrity - but I might be waiting a long time!

I admire politicians who stick to their principles, even if in doing so they are going against their party line, for example Rosie Duffield and the late Frank Field. Of course it doesn't get them anywhere but it tells me a lot about their character, they aren't lightweights.

Wyllow3

Would we be talking about sex appeal if a woman were up for PM? ie making judgements on how bed worthy they were?

Margaret Thatcher was one of the most manufactured politicians ever. Her hair was lightened, her dress was supervised and her voice was lowered, all to make her appeal more. Was it sex-appeal? Well most MPs were men.

Just looking at my list, I don't know about Yanis but the others are all womanisers. Add to the list Clinton and Kennedy and there seems to be a thread here. Lots of charismatic politicians (especially in the USA) are or were womanisers. I don't know about Australia or other countries. Maybe that is what makes a great politician!

Casdon

No. I’m struggling to think of any British politician, ever, who had it. Actually I tell a lie, my favourite has always been Disraeli, who was quite ugly but had a certain je ne sais quoi about him.

Historically, David Lloyd George was maybe the most charismatic Prime Minister, famous for his sex life and when you look closely, there is a real sparkle in his eye. He could hold an audience and had some famously inspiring speeches.

Today, over the pond we have Trump who whatever you think of his politics he can certainly inspire people and hold them in the palm of his hand. Like Boris, he is not scared to look a total fool and is happy to portray that image at times because people like it.

From Greece there is a very charismatic and attractive politician called Yanis Varoufakis who I've seen a few times on Question Time and he is is an inspirational speaker.

These people all have or had the ability to attract people to them, being good speakers with magnetic personalities.

Grannynannywanny this is the second time you have made me laugh out loud this morning. Thank you.

We are on the chat forum not the politics one, can't we have a bit of fun now and then.

Which isnt to say they wouldnt be up to the job if wallpaper paste. But they may have to work that little bit harder for some potential voters to vote for them.

Wyllow3

Would we be talking about sex appeal if a woman were up for PM? ie making judgements on how bed worthy they were?

Men would I expect, or Lesbians, 🤔

I personally am not talking about se x appeal at all.
Much more about a character.
Not like wallpaper paste.

Would we be talking about sex appeal if a woman were up for PM? ie making judgements on how bed worthy they were?

I do think they need a bit of something.
I dont think KS has it.
Not sure Rishi does.

I would say Harold Wilson did. Met him in the flesh once. He had retired by then. Was relaxed. Had time to spare was my thought. Was chatty to my family.

David Owen did not join the Liberal Democrat’s

I dont think it was demeaning. I think identity politics are incredibly destructive. I also mistrust anything which is a mantra, it tends to halt critical thinking.

Hitler was supposed to have had immense charm, charisma obviously, but sex appeal?

Why was it demeaning to support Black Lives Matter?

Definitely agree about David Owen, quite aside fromnhis good looks, he is the calibre of politician who would make me want to vote for him.

winterwhite

*Cossy*, yes Margaret Thatcher did have elocution lessons and the result was frightful. All those hwhats uand hwhites. She never sounded sincere.

It was indeed awful 😂😂😂

nanna8

I don’t know why, but when I look at Keir Starmer I think of a budgerigar with a crop full of seed.

That’s funny.🤣 when I look at him I see a rabbit caught in the headlights and he always looks like he is about to burst into tears.

I still cannot believe he “took the knee” with Angela Rayner. Talk about demeaning himself. I expected it of AR but not him.

I'm in the not sex appeal camp, but in Psychology, physical appearance, plays a major part. Let's face it if someone is appealing to your eye, your interested.
Body language plus voice adds to that mix.
Politicians all know that, they have to all go selection courses before their names are added to "the list" for selection so they are suitable to be put forward for election, that too is subjective.

Here's hoping the new breed are better?
In my my eye tho' KS just doesn't appeal to me..

I think I'd be willing to forego sex-appeal / charisma in a party leader for the sake of them being competent and focused on policies designed to benefit the nation as a whole.

Handsome is as Handsome does.

Although Starmer can be anyone you want him to be 😊

For me, someone has to have 'rizz' ! (I hope that's how you spell it).

Not much of that about at the moment.

Wyllow3

"I think Keir Starmer comes across as reliable and sincere..I wouldn’t mind seeing him in charge." Agreed.

After the Boris years what a relief.

A nightmare more like with Starmer in charge although listening to him would help to send you asleep.

35Primrose53

maddyone
But strangely
Grannynannywanny many ladies
loved him.

That’s because he has a very definite twinkle in his eye, he is not afraid to laugh at himself and I bet you he would be great fun between the sheets. 😝

Primrose haha 😁 yes especially when he was younger