Celebrities using their fame for political purposes.

[HappydaysArehere]

Is it just me or do you hate hearing from well loved celebrities just before elections. Ant and Dec are entitled to their view of the political scene and to express it in private as much as they wish. However, my appreciation of this talented pair has taken a knock. AIBU to feel that celebrities should not be used in an endeavour to manipulate the electorate?

You kind of lost me at 'talented' - really

Laurie, I was attempting to show that I am not anti Ant and Dec! Just really disappointed.

YABU. Why shouldn't they express their political opinions? A large part of politics (any discourse, actually) is persuading people to your side, to see your POV.

They hardly encouraged their fans to go out and vote Green because the rest of them are cunts (or whatever).

Actually, I think the exact opposite.
Politics needs to be seen as a more mainstream thing. There was a tv ad a few years ago that summed it up well - you can't say you aren't into politics if you have an opinion about the price of beer/immigration/whether you get paid enough/whether there are enough teachers at your kids school.

However, things like the expenses scandals have created the impression that MPs and politicians are not actual people, but exist on a separate planet to most of us.

By celebs showing they have a political side, it normalises politics, and if that encourages people to vote and take a greater interest in the democratic process, then it can only be a good thing.

Couldn't disagree more.

Of course they are. It's putting their views in the public domain that I object to.

Why?

Right! Thanks for the responses. I am obviously in the minority.

I don't see the issue, if they want to proclaim who they are voting for, why not?

With the OP not spare change!

But you haven't really explained why you object. You appear to have accused them of being political puppets, which is pretty harsh on them.

Are you worried that legions of Ant and Dec fans will now not vote Labour?

So the views of two multi millionaires - with their particular circumstances - have any bearing whatsoever on a family struggling to pay the bills ?

And and Dec can vote however they see fit. I really don't see how it impacts on my decision in the slightest.

Bring back Red Wedge (shows age ) .

But who do you think is using them to manipulate the electorate? They've said they want to vote Labour, but they are disillusioned and Ed Milliband is a bit crap. Unless you think David Milliband is the controlling voice of Ant and Dec, then their comments aren't really to anyone's advantage.

I know what you mean, OP. I think probably any discourse that engages the electorate is a good thing, particularly the young and/or disillusioned.

But also I was brought up to think that any public discussion of political views was in poor taste and I don't like knowing how other people (in RL) are going to vote. I shy away from conflict of any kind.

Oh yes Red Wedge. Those were the days, dancing to Billy Bragg at the 1984 Young Socialists Conference in Blackpool. Back then lots of slebs were political, I wish more were now.

I disagree with you OP. If I became famous and that gave me a platform to raise awareness of anything of importance I'm interested in, including normalising being interested and invested in politics in the way that sparechange mentioned, it would be lazy of me not to take the unique opportunity that it gives me.

The problem is that many celebs behave as if they are 'entitled' to be heard on whatever crap they believe in because they're wealthy and so we've become more cynical.

I agree and was just thinking the same thing - why do celebrities think their opinion is any more 'right' or 'interesting' than anyone else's? It really puts me off people (and I do like Ant and Dec) but there's more than a whiff of arrogance in pontificating about politics, when you have no more or less of an idea than anyone else, sadly it's put me off Eddie Izzard too

Noel Galagher has said Labour is rubbish. Didn't a survey prove once Labour supporters have more money, over time they turn conservative in the political thinking.

kachan I was there!

I don't have an issue with celebs having political views and sharing them

I did dislike their personal attack on the party leader - stick to policies not personalities

It doesn't bother me as such but it can make me cringe. David Beckham's (ghost written) letter to Scotland asking them to vote No in the referendum was bizarre.

JK Rowling being vocally 'No' didn't make me cringe as she lives and pays taxes in Scotland and made her argument well.

Pontificating tax dodging celebs do make my blood boil though.

I would imagine TT have been advised by their profile to keep quiet. I often wondered if tax was particularly why they reduced from a group of four to the three tax dodgers.

*Pr

Noel Galagher has said Labour is rubbish. Didn't a survey prove once Labour supporters have more money, over time they turn conservative in the political thinking.

There is a saying that if you're not Labour in your 20s you have no heart, and if you're not Tory in your 40s you have no brain. (Or variants thereof).