Rank and Dank Opportunism.

I see Cameron is at it again – trying to garner popularity by associating himself with the feel-good factor engendered by somebody else. In this case, it’s Andy Murray. For those who don’t know, Murray yesterday became the first British male tennis player to win Wimbledon since 1936. That makes him something of a hero to the Brits, and the ideal hull to which the limpet Cameron would want to attach himself. So Cameron says Murray should get a knighthood.

A knighthood is one of the biggest honours the British establishment can bestow; it’s second only to a peerage (that’s when you become Lord or Lady somebody.) And the honours system is tightly controlled; it’s full of procedures and protocols; official lips tend to stay sealed until official announcements are made. Accordingly, it’s most unusual for a Prime Minister to proclaim public endorsement of a candidate ahead of the game. In fact, I’ve never known it happen before. He might praise the hero in general terms, but not virtually offer him a knighthood.

Cameron would obviously know that; he isn’t naïve. Politics is a dirty business and the ideal stamping ground for cheats, liars, manipulators, and maybe even psychopaths. I’m not saying that Cameron is necessarily any of those things, but you don’t get to the top in politics without knowing the game. Top politicians might be brainless, out of touch, perverse, heartless… They might be any of those things and more, but not naïve.

Well, his attempt at vicarious popularity-gathering didn’t get him anywhere after the Olympics last year, and I doubt it will get him anywhere after Wimbledon. At least, I hope it won’t.