Oops. Chris Bryant again. In an article in the current edition of The World Today magazine, obviously written before the fiasco of his immigration speech, the Labour MP “offers tips for politicians on how to get the most of the tweet life”.
Among his choice quotes are: “Politicians who try too hard to be in touch with the voters risk falling flat on their face, as many have found out.” And this sublime piece of advice: “Modern politics requires of its protagonists intense party discipline, calm balance and lengthy consideration, as opponents like a gaffe and voters dislike the idea of a rabble running the country.” Indeed.
Bryant, an engaging figure despite being nicknamed Rhondda rent-a-quote in the House of Commons, has continually hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. When Gordon Brown made him Europe minister, Bryant tweeted his appointment before No 10 had announced it. Brown went ballistic.
The trailing of Bryant’s speech on Tesco favouring immigrant workers (and mixing up Kent and Essex) led to Tesco threatening to sue and a rewritten speech praising the supermarket giant. Dangerous, with a Labour front-bench reshuffle due.
