Oh, for a statesman like David Cameron

I quite like David Cameron and his style of plain speaking and tough talking. Wonder when we will have someone like him!

But before I proceed further with my rather sudden expression of faith in the British Prime Minister, here’s my disclaimer!

Having worked with the BBC for nearly two decades I do have a healthy respect for some British institutions, particularly sections of the British media.

Yes, media!

Notwithstanding what Murdoch and co does with their empire, the likes of The Guardian and the BBC—by and large—practice journalism in a manner which begets credibility.

But for some relentless work by them the whole business of phone hacking and other dirty tricks practiced by Murdoch’s News Corp may have never come to light.

The British politicians and their police in fact tried their best to keep the sordid affair under wraps!

I also quite enjoy the pomp and pageantry which surrounds the British royalty. Especially when it concerns Lady Dianna and her children , Williams and Harry.

It’s the British politicians whom I don’t particularly admire. There’s something false, even phony about them!

Margaret Thatcher came across as too much of an iron woman. No trace of compassion, soulfulness ever in her. John Major was too boring. A nondescript, non event almost! Then came Tony Blair and like millions across the world I too was bowled over by the youthful charm, big smile, and magnetic, almost casting-a-spell kind of oratory of the New Labour leader in the mid 1990’s. His biggest strength was that despite being a politician he conveyed sincerity. But his magic wore off fast and as years passed he came across as more fake than sincere. Between Blair and Cameron there was Gordon Brown but frankly all through his tenure everybody just waited for him to loose in the parliamentary elections and that’s what he precisely did!

But David Cameron is turning out to be different. Things may be falling apart all around him but in a strange way he gives the impression of a man who is in command and knows what he is doing.

Maybe it’s early days for Cameron as PM and so the magic of good oratory combined with good looks is still working!

Don’t know the answer but every time Cameron stands up—facing up squarely to a crisis—he gives the impression of someone who knows what he is saying and proposing to do.

Like the time he took on a spirited opposition in the British Parliament a few weeks ago on la affaire phone hacking and his own relationship with Murdoch, his media empire and his media executives including the gentleman Cameron had appointed to be his own media advisor. He cut short his visit to Africa, convened the Parliament and took the bull by the horn. He looked solid, giving back as he got. Neither pulling his punches nor running away from a tough situation or trying to pass on the buck and find a scapegoat.

Again as the UK and it’s capital city of London is facing its worst riots in living memory, Cameron has once again returned to take charge of the situation cutting short his vacation in Italy.

And once back he is not beating around the bush issuing politically correct wishy-washy statements. It may be a while before the situation get under control but he is not talking about things like “getting first to the root of the problem” and “addressing the real social and economic issues which lead to such situations”.

His statements are business like. First things first! It’s a law and order situation sparked off by the action of thugs and looters and they needed to be dealt like the criminals they are. His statement about “if you are old enough to commit such crimes , you are also old enough to take the punishment for it” kind of sets the tone. Again Wednesday afternoon he talked about the need for a healing touch and compensation for those who have suffered but again there was no mistaking his priorities.

“First the situation has to be brought under control. Then anything else.”

The approach may not work. Maybe it will have long term implications. Whatever it is those debates can wait. Right now in its hour of crisis the British have somebody who is at least wanting to take charge and behave like a leader!

Now cut back to India. Do we have anyone like him? Anybody who would be willing to don the role of a decisive leader and take tough, politically incorrect decisions if the situation so warrants?

Our tragedy is we all know the answer.

Sometimes ignorance is truly bliss!