Blogging for food

Alastair Duncan

Celebrities and the internet have strengthened their hold on young women, leaving little room for advertisers, teachers or politicians to influence their opinions and behaviour, according to a survey (by the Girl Guides, no less). Only 2% of those surveyed could name a female politician, and another 2% said they were influenced by advertisers. 42% claimed celebrities were their greatest influence, closely followed by the internet, outside of friends and family. Thank god for friends and family, then.

Mind you it would be safe to assume that a survey of politicians would get the same result. How many MPs would be able to name three female celebrities? Probably 2%. How many MPs would claim to be influenced by advertising? 2%? 3%? And how many MPs would claim to be influenced by what they read on the internet, or that they had been been influenced by their teachers?

MPs might have more in common with the average 16 year old girl than we think. Here’s what Girlguiding UK says. "Understanding how our members consume their news and form their opinions helps [us] support them in making the many different and difficult decisions [they] face today. Female friends play a very influential role in this process which is why our varied programme provided in a safe girl-only environment, is designed to help our young members develop confidence in their individual views and opinions -- giving them the self-assurance to make the best choices and decisions for them."

Now swap female for MP and see what happens.

"Understanding how our members consume their news and form their opinions helps [us] support them in making the many different and difficult decisions [they] face today. [Parliamentary] friends play a very influential role in this process which is why our varied programme provided in a safe [MP]-only environment, is designed to help our [old] members develop confidence in their individual views and opinions -- giving them the self-assurance to make the best choices and decisions for them."

Will we see Boris or Gordon with a rolled up copy of Smash Hits soon? Crikey.