Firebrand Politicians - Respectable MPs or Lunatics?

The definition of the term ‘firebrand’ is: a person who is very passionate about a particular cause. It is a term that is generally used to suggest someone mad-cap or unreasonable.

Over the years many firebrand politicians have made a name for themselves due to a passionate personality and radical ideologies. Some people may argue that the word, firebrand, in politics, is simply a polite word for extremist. However, I invite you to look past extreme beliefs and eccentric personalities and consider these people in a different light. A light which highlights a respectable politician driven by a principled passion and desire for justice and equity. But most importantly, people who do justice to the title of, civil servant.

Firebrand politicians have been a constant through the ages of parliament but most examples are contemporary. Whilst newspapers seek to extremitise them often, beyond the cover, lie deeply principled individuals.

One MP who immediately comes to mind on the topic of ‘firebrand’ is Dennis Skinner or ‘the Beast of Bolsover’. Mr. Skinner served in Parliament from 1970-2019 and had an illustrious career in the House of Commons. Dennis Skinner is perhaps most well known for his left-wing views and acerbic wit. However, once we look past the left-wing views and unique personality, we see a man driven by a passion for equality and justice for the miners and the rest of the working-class. One moment that stands out for me in the entirety of a long and prosperous career is how Mr. Skinner refused to take out his entire parliamentary salary to help fund the miner’s strike in the years of 1984 and 85. Once again, looking past the politics of striking, we see a man willing to sacrifice for his beliefs. A trait which I deem to be hugely respectable and lacking in modern British politics. In shorter terms, he practises what he preaches and represents his constituents unlike most who simply preach and are strangers to the people they have asked to vote for them.

Skinner once outlined his entire raison d’etre, “I am proud to stand up for my class, to say publicly that I am from good working-class stock. I am proud to be a trade unionist, to be a member of the Labour Party and to be a socialist. I stick to my principles. I know no other way in politics. I make mistakes, everybody does. Nobody is perfect. I have no monopoly on the best way of being an MP. I try not to let anybody down. I’ve sailed close to the wind in my life but always for the good of the cause, to champion those at the bottom of the pile who deserve better”.

In light of recent events such as COVID-19 and Brexit, it could be argued that we need more politicians such as Dennis Skinner. MPs who are persistent, enthusiastic and fiery. But most of all, MPs who truly live up to the name of being a civil servant. Members of Parliament who aren’t in it for fame and personal gain, but who are serving their constituency, acting as role models to younger generations and seeking the greater good. Following the loss of his seat in the Brexit focused 2019 election what dismayed Skinner most was not that he had missed his chance to be appointed Father of the House but that his constituents had lost faith in him and his principles.

In conclusion, firebrand politicians, in spite of their often radical views, are possibly the most respectable of MPs. Looking past the boisterous personality and the ideologies, we are left with raw drive and enthusiasm for, what they deem to be, equality and justice. Back benches are where they want to be, in with the crowd rather than in an executive box. With their principles and positioning often comes the ability to create lasting memories. Forever remembered will be Anthony Wedgewood-Benn renouncing his title, Tam Dalyell (a baronet) grabbing the Mace and, from the Beast of Bolsover, what is probably the best exchange ever in a Parliamentary debate, an exchange so acerbic yet comic that means he will last in the memory so much longer than other MPs:

“Half the Tory members opposite are crooks”

“The honourable member must withdraw that remark”

“Ok, half the Tories opposite are not crooks”

(Photo - BBC News)