After a year of reading about himself in the press, Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik has decided to open up to the Daily Mail about last year’s annus horribilis by writing an exclusive two-part feature article. The first part focuses on his relationship with Gabriela Irimia – here’s an excerpt:
Frankly, I had no expectation of anything romantic happening between us, although I must admit that I was secretly hopeful. When, two months later, we became more than just friends, cynics derided our alliance. To them it just had to be a stunt, after all I was 41 and she was 24. They cited my quirky reputation and wonky face as evidence against me, although, surprisingly, I received nothing but support from my fellow MPs. People in Parliament were curious and there was some gentle teasing but no one was offensive or malicious.
And Gabi? Of course there were people who felt she was clearly too attractive and sexy to be smart. But smart she was, and more intelligent than those who put her down. Indeed, she’s rather accomplished. She taught me a lot about Romanian history and politics. She could talk knowledgeably about so many subjects – including classical ballet, dance, philosophy and her experience growing up under the politics of Soviet Eastern Europe. She is also a skilled chess player and a very witty lady. …
We both enjoyed travelling and went on holiday to various European countries, including Estonia. We also made a couple of trips to Romania. I felt very drawn to her. She fitted into my world without a hitch and was very supportive of my work. She attended some constituency events, came to listen to me in the Commons and attended a couple of Lib Dem dinners. We had a very deep interaction. I felt lifted when with her and she was strong enough to stand up to me.
If you want to read on (go on, admit it, you will), here’s the link.
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12 Comments
Lembit, mate: STFU.
Is it possible to hand back in my card for membership of the human race?
Leave it out Bernard.
Give the guy a break he’s giving a serious interview about his personal life to the trashy part of a respectable-ish (and I use the word with caution) newspaper.
There are far worse things he could be doing and/or saying to far worse publications.
Mund: If a miserly 22% for one of our best-known and most charismatic MPs in a presidential election isn’t enough of a wake-up call, I don’t know what is. Lembit has given the impression over the last few years that he wants to be known more for his personal life than for being a serious politician and articles like this just reinforce that. If he does want to be taken seriously, a period of silence on his part would be in order.
I voted for him. Partially because of the good old Inside Pissing Out saying, but also because he’s an intelligent guy who wasn’t using every single supporter he had to try and con the uneducated masses into voting for himself (Unlike Baroness Scott).
I should remind everybody that Lembit will not be the first Liberal/Lib Dem MP to make a name for himself outside of the Commons, and he will not be the last.
I also voted for him – as he seemed to be saying he was serious about being a politician.
However as it was apparent afterwards that during the President election he was at least discussing (if not actually filming) his appearance on “Celebrity Bargain Hunt” I feel a bit of a fool
Lembit reaches parts of the media that other politicians – let alone Lib Dems – cannot reach. I did not vote in the Presidential election (irrelevant to the political direction of our party) but Lembit knows a truth about politics that some intellectuals never grasp: if people don’t know who you are, they are far less likely to put a cross by your name. I suspect that in a postal ballot of all Lib Dem VOTERS, he would have beaten Ros Scott hands down, except possibly in Needham Market, where she is slightly better known than him. I do not say that this is a good thing; merely that this is how it is and the sort of intellectual snobbery displayed in the above comments COSTS OUR PARTY VOTES.
“Lembit reaches parts of the media that other politicians – let alone Lib Dems – cannot reach.”
Is there any evidence to (a) back this up and (b) suggest that the “reaching” he does has a benefit to either the party or to him politically.
As I’ve said many times before, there is nothing wrong with a politician appearing on HIGNFY, Celebrity Bargain Hunt, Call My Bluff, etc etc. Robin Cook’s columns in the Racing Post never detracted from his gravitas as a politican. Even when Charles appeared on the Clive Anderson show in about 98 his appearance had some political content
Where it is damaging is where you get seen as an entertainer first, not a politician – and that is the situation Lembit has got himself into.
Reading that piece I have a great deal of sympathy for Lembit – but if he wants to be taken seriously as a politician then he can’t keep courting the celebrity pages of the newspapers.
Just read it at work. Janitor’s coming shortly to clean up the vomit…
I know the guy might be heartbroken, but is this really the best way to deal with it? And did he ask Nick Clegg before he spoke to the Mail?
22% is not miserly Bernard. When you have 22% of your cells exhibiting dysplasia tell me it’s miserly.
Silly comment Mund. Whether a %age is significant is entirely dependent on context.
5% of fecal coliforms in your drinking water is a lot. 5% in an election is not a lot.