Comments on: The Tories: Toughness and empathy? http://paulseaman.eu/2009/01/the-tories-toughness-and-empathy/ I am a PR and love my trade. Nevertheless PR requires a reality check. We're about helping clients speak honestly, even robustly. People who run things have a lot of explaining to do in the next few years, so PR is crucial. I want a lively debate and I hope you’ll make it so. Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:07:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Paul Seaman http://paulseaman.eu/2009/01/the-tories-toughness-and-empathy/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Paul Seaman Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:52:30 +0000 http://paulseaman.eu/?p=1823#comment-26 Talking of authenticity and honesty, Mathew Parris has a slightly over-the-top column in today's Times: "Speak out now, or forever hold your peace". Here's a sample: "When the decision is taken irreversibly to go for the nuclear generation of electricity in Britain in a really big way, could all those in the political and media class who are at present sitting on the fence, kindly admit their former indecision, and spare us their thoughts on how there was “never” going to be any other way for Britain to abide by our green commitments?" I wish I'd said that: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5532550.ece Talking of authenticity and honesty, Mathew Parris has a slightly over-the-top column in today’s Times: “Speak out now, or forever hold your peace”. Here’s a sample:

“When the decision is taken irreversibly to go for the nuclear generation of electricity in Britain in a really big way, could all those in the political and media class who are at present sitting on the fence, kindly admit their former indecision, and spare us their thoughts on how there was “never” going to be any other way for Britain to abide by our green commitments?”

I wish I’d said that:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5532550.ece

]]> By: Richard D North http://paulseaman.eu/2009/01/the-tories-toughness-and-empathy/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Richard D North Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:19:17 +0000 http://paulseaman.eu/?p=1823#comment-25 Dear Paul, I like all of those points but add that the big problem with the New Niceness (the political and commercial pitch that we all care about everything and everyone, and do so equally) is that it can't be true. Businesses and politicians always have to lie a little. That's obvious. ("The customer's always right"; "Excellent choice, Sir"; "Bright new dawn, time for a change", etc.) I hope you bang on a lot about authenticity. I think what's really, really new is that in a world of spin authenticity is the new black. Rich Tory Toffs, sure, no problem. Why not? Provided they're genuine competent Rich Tory Toffs with good policy. Gordon Brown: moralistic son of the manse who presided over a consumer boom and ran up national debt. That may have been good policy but it certainly was very conflicted as a matter of authenticity. Dear Paul,

I like all of those points but add that the big problem with the New Niceness (the political and commercial pitch that we all care about everything and everyone, and do so equally) is that it can’t be true. Businesses and politicians always have to lie a little. That’s obvious. (“The customer’s always right”; “Excellent choice, Sir”; “Bright new dawn, time for a change”, etc.)

I hope you bang on a lot about authenticity. I think what’s really, really new is that in a world of spin authenticity is the new black. Rich Tory Toffs, sure, no problem. Why not? Provided they’re genuine competent Rich Tory Toffs with good policy. Gordon Brown: moralistic son of the manse who presided over a consumer boom and ran up national debt. That may have been good policy but it certainly was very conflicted as a matter of authenticity.

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