Politicians can’t bash Brand’s awareness

It was an unlikely meeting of minds.

In the blue corner Jeremy Paxman, grizzly, world-weary 63-year-old Newsnight anchor.

In the red corner Russell Brand, 38-year-old tight-trousered star of films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Arthur.

How could a man sacked by Radio 2 for puerile antics become the centre of attention on Aunty’s serious old flagship news programme?

Well Brand recently revealed he has never voted because of “absolute indifference, weariness and exhaustion from the lies, treachery and deceit of the political class.”

He told the New Statesman: “I know my grandparents fought in two World Wars (and one World Cup) so that I’d have the right to vote. Well, they were conned. As far as I’m concerned there is nothing to vote for.”

Outdone on the cynicism stakes, Paxo weighed in with all guns blazing.

“If you can’t be a***d to vote, why should we be a***d to listen to your political point of view?” he asked.

It was a full and frank exchange of views which later attracted nine million YouTube viewers. At which point Jezza changed his mind.

“I think part of Russell Brand’s diagnosis is right. There is a huge sense of disillusion out there. The whole pantomime in Westminster looks like a remote, self-important echo chamber.”

And Paxo revealed he had also failed to vote in a recent election because the choice of candidates was “so unappetising”.

This could not be allowed to pass.

So Nick Clegg weighed in to say not voting was “a total abdication of responsibility” and Paxo was “a guy who gets paid a million pounds by taxpayers he lives off politics and he spends all his time sneering at politics.”

Oo-er. Calm down , chaps.

So is there no point voting?

I’ve a feeling that’s a less common view in Scotland where dumping first-past-the-post for Holyrood elections means minority votes aren’t wasted as they are south of the border.

In Scotland, we have four main parties plus independent MSPs not a straight choice between Labour and the Tories. Excitement over the 2014 referendum means the turnout will almost certainly top the average Holyrood election.

But all is not well.

A 38% turnout in last year’s local government elections was greeted as some kind of achievement because it was better than the English 32%. The European average is nearer 70%.

So what are we doing wrong?

Strikes me the trouble sets in at local level.

We have the largest councils in Europe, representing around 162,000 folk instead of the cosy north European average of just 12,000.

So voters here don’t know the candidates, party labels take on undue significance and the people elected are in thrall to the party machine. In European countries, capable individuals get elected. In Iceland voters can even write in the name of better candidates and that person is honour bound to accept the post!

You might think council elections are small beer. But most MPs and MSPs cut their teeth at local level. And if their political career begins by kowtowing to party grandees, not working for the community, bad habits form.

This matters. One in 80 Norwegians, but only one in 2,071 Scots, stand for election. No wonder we think politicians are a different class here. They generally are.

So Clegg and Co should heed Russell Brand, not bash him.

Otherwise British voters will learn a dangerous democratic lesson. You get more attention here by noisily boycotting the ballot box than turning up to vote.

Is that what anyone wants?