Policy or Personality?

[Kromovaracun]

Hello again,

I thought of this question as it relates to my post below and is sort of topical what with the coming election, but I figured adding another question would derail it a bit.

The site I linked to (voteforpolicies) has a tone to it that suggests prioritizing party policies above personalities. One thing I found when thinking about my personal results was that a reason they were so surprising to me was -because- my results didn't take account of my opinions on the key personalities (which, of course, they're designed to filter out).

So my question is: what do you guys reckon to be more important? Policy of a party or the personality makeup of the leadership? (NOT just the individual leader - but those surrounding him/her also) Are they impossible to separate?

I swing more to the 'personality' side, and I might post in more detail depending on where the thread goes (if indeed it goes anywhere...) but I'm also open to persuasion.

[jno]

I'm not much bothered by the 'personality' of party leaders unless it has clear implications for his policies or trustworthiness. Do I care that Brown shouts at people? No. Do I care that Cameron dyes his hair (so I am told by someone who sees a lot of him)? Not much, though it hints at a slight talent for deception. Do I care that Chris Grayling wants an opt-out for B&B owners who don't want gays in their house? Yes, bearing in mind that he may become Home Secretary, in the party of Section 28.

But for what it's worth, I won't be voting for any party, or for the leadership of any party, I'll be voting to return my current MP, who seems hardworking and who hasn't abused the expenses system. Those are I suppose matters of 'personality' rather than policy.

[rov1200]

The tories slogan 'vote for Labour and have another 5 years of Brown' seem to ring a bell

[modeller]

Wow ! jno You are fortunate to have an honest MP . There are only 29 of them :
12 Con, 9 Lab. and 8 Lib. who made no claims . That's only 5% of the total.

[jno]

well, an honest constituent like I deserves an honest MP.

[Haggisdj]

My Mum always said that television ruined politics. When politicians were just on the radio people used to listen to them and their policies, nowadays there is a lot more emphasis on appearance, politician can be disliked for their dress-sense, weight, hair colour, etc..