David Cameron has been accused of exploiting Armistice Day for political gain, raising questions of where politicians should draw the line when it comes to photo opportunities, and what behaviour is appropriate when honouring the war dead.
They … began a carefully-choreographed photo session. The Tory leader had clearly been instructed on how to behave and moved briskly from pose to pose in the 20 minute shoot.
He walked around the garden, often bending down to read the names of the dead etched on crosses and carefully studying the wreaths of poppies.
Photographers normally keep a respectful distance at such times. But Mr Parsons barked instructions and was sometimes just inches from the Tory supremo’s face. One shocked onlooker said: “The photographer was snapping away at every opportunity.
While some will rightly point out that The Mirror is hardly impartial when it comes to David Cameron, it does raise a valid question.
No senior politician would seriously contemplate missing the wreath laying. Whether at the Cenotaph on Whitehall or in their home town or village, they must be seen there and be seen to be respectful. The negative publicity for those who fall short of the media’s expectations is well worth avoiding.
Cherie Blair was taken to task for the crime of failing to wear black on Sunday, with the Telegraph describing her decision to wear a purple raincoat as an “unforgivable lapse of taste”
So did Cameron go too far and was his pre-ceremony photo-shoot bringing partisan politics into this least partisan of days, or merely capturing his genuine respect for the fallen on film?
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8 Comments
It’s not like Cameron doesn’t have form on photoshoots.
Really….?
Where are the comments about Brown having his photo taken there?
This is a complete non-story – made up by The Mirror/Labour in their usual smeary way
As you know it
There was a pathetic story of Brown not bowing his head
I think it is probably the press that is being disrespectufl this year with the raft of tit for tat stories that seem to have come about from Sunday not to mention the Suns terribly behaviour.
I’m sure I saw footage of HMTheQ wearing a purple coat and hat at a wreath-laying yesterday. Has the Telegraph similarly taken our monarch to task over her choice of outfit, or is what is an ‘unforgivable lapse of taste’ on Sunday somehow entirely appropriate on Wednesday?
@John – I thought it was Cameron not bowing his head during the service yesterday next to Clegg – his eyes were firmly fixed ahead whilst everyone else in the church had their heads respectfully bowed – I was always taught this was deeply disrespectful in church?
“Really….?
Where are the comments about Brown having his photo taken there?
This is a complete non-story – made up by The Mirror/Labour in their usual smeary way
As you know it
”
Brown had his photo taken officially. After the service. As did the Queen. By the official photographers.
He did not take along his own photographer, and have a photo shoot, on his own, before the service had even happened
I agree with Simon that it is largely the press that is being disrespectful.
Nobody seems to question their presence and instrusion – splashing these non-stories across the tabloids.
As for The Sun, their coverage of GB letter was an utter disgrace.
Did anybody count up the number of chief executives from national newspapers at the Cenotaph?