From national treasure to pariah?

I have met Esther Rantzen a couple of times in connection to her work with Child Line. She comes across in real life just as she does on TV, enthusiastic, passionate and full of ideas.

I grew up watching That’s Life, so Esther will always hold a special place in my heart, you can’t watch someone holding up phallic vegetables that often without building a special bond. Her time on I’m a Celebrity will also have won her a new legion of fans too young to have seen dogs saying “sausages”.

But all this is now at risk.

The long-standing cynicism that greets politicians has intensified in recent months and the media have also come under a degree of flack. If Esther steps into the world of politics, especially with a “clean up” message she will need to get used to people queuing up to knock her down.

It didn’t take long for Richard Ingrams to start asking questions about Esther’s financial past. It might not be fair or justified but it will happen.

I think Esther would be a good MP, although I feel that that Nigel Huddleston would be a better MP for Luton South, but she will have to get used to not being loved any more.