Gorgeous George

George Galloway MP is an infuriating figure. On the one hand, he takes positions that are clearly for the underdog, and when cornered by people who think that they have a right to demand answers of anyone in the world, can give 'em hell with the best of them (better, even, since most US senators are unlikely to run into many working-class Glaswegians and are likely to think of working-class Scots as being like a certain resident of the Bahamas).

In May, Galloway won the seat of Bethnal Green and Bow in the East End of London from Oona King in a campaign that was not free of scurrilousness and violence. And how does he represent his constituents? By going on a reality show, and missing a vote of significance to them. Kautsky spoke of the 'socialism of fools' (he meant anti-Semitism, which has some significance since Oona King is halachically Jewish). He did call Christopher Hitchens a 'popinjay', though. But that doesn't make up for the crassness, or the callous ignoring of legitimate concerns of his constituents.