Why do we get such poor politicians?

[antelopevalley]

I have known very competent MPs, although pretty useless ones as well. But when it comes to the top jobs we seem to get incompetent people more often than competent people.
Given there is a lot of competition for these jobs, why is this?

Good question.

Partly I think we’ve moved within a couple of generations, from unquestioning deference towards politicians to a starting point of disrespect and cynicism.

I expect that puts a lot of people off what is a very challenging job.

Maybe rich people don't want to be politicians?

@Moonmelodies An interesting bias you are displaying there.

I don't know but I find it so embarrassing on the world stage for us to have the 4th PM in 6 years. This is not the definition of a stable government.

Not to be outing but I know the wife of a politician. She hates it and wants him out. The press coverage and people shouting in the street is horrendous. They are not on the Westminster dinner party or bars/hanging with journalists circuit unlike most (through their choice!), and this limits his success.

What is left are many of the attention seekers who are in it for the wrong reasons.

@lickenchugget I know in our local City if you want to rise to be an MP, you need to hang out at a particular pub with those who are influential in these decisions.

One of my friends works in news. His instruction to his team, so he says, is “bring me the story which will bring down the PM”.

But why? Why not instruct his team to do some in-depth reporting which explores an issue and looks at the complex and competing interests. It seems so destructive.

Would you want to do it? The amount of pure hatred and vitriol thrown at the PM is disgusting. Sure, disagree with the policies, but the sheer PM bashing doesn’t help anyone (I actually think the left are far worse for this, and I say this as a leftie).

No one I know who is sensible, a leader and done very well at business would touch it with a barge pole.

Also it’s hard to get into, and is a case of knowing the right people. This means the pool of candidates is even smaller, and it attracts a particular type of person.

@Mushroo I think we need to look at some of the self serving, vile policies these politicians put in place and how many have award billions of pounds of public money to their mates, when it could be used to actually help people! There are some amazing, wonderful politicians who are in it for the right reasons. But a lot aren't... they cannot fathom what everyday working people go through! If they did we'd have a better NHS, stronger police force and properly funded childcare! The Tory party have been in power for 12 years, they have had austerity measures in place yet we still don't have any money!

Decent people don’t want the public attention it brings for themselves and their families. You have to really put yourself out there to get elected and if you don’t it’s the most public interview failure there is and could affect your future career
Plus you can earn more in Industry
So we get Narcs and losers and cronies who need the kudos to feed their egos and give them a boost for post MP job prospects.
The ones who really want to serve the public are few and far between

@Mushroo It is not hard to get information. You need to be a member of the party and then become a candidate to stand as MP. The Conservative Party you apply and a panel chooses you. The Labour Party you go along to the local branches who vote for the MP.