We Should Be So Lucky

The last few weeks have been excrutiating and perillous in equal measure for all in Britain who care for the democratic principle. It is also a source of deep frustration to have a PM who is become somewhat flakey and performs in a consistently embarassing manner.

Think kindly then of our poor Italian cousins who have had to endure the national figure of ridicule that is Silvio Berlusconi. Despite his huge wealth and unrivalled influence of politics, media and commerce, Silvio has struggled to command the respect of his international peers. Here's a clue why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkDp-6t-keA

He came relatively late to politics, his quasi-racist party, Forza Italia was forged from the total collapse of the democratic system in early 90s. We should beware of how we handle our own political reconstruction; it would be Britain having a PM who is part Gazza, part Jonathan Ross mostly Rupert Murdoch.

He always seems to wait until the international stage to make the biggest fool of himself. Here he is breaking every rule of protocol at a NATO summit in April.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWgHDPxPf_A&NR=1

Silvio, 72, has an unsinkable arrogance combined with insatiable desire for women. His parties would not be out of place in a 70s Hollywood sex farce. But it would seem even the perma-tanned, raven-haired pensioner cannot keep a lid on every party 'guest'. Patrizia D'Addario, 42, model, spoke to La Republicca over the weekend and revealed details of Berlusconi's proxy procurement of women. His lawyer mounted an ignoble defence.

"He does not need people to bring him women," Niccolò Ghedini told the newspaper Corriere della Sera. "It's seems a bit over the top to think that Berlusconi needs to pay €2,000 [£1,700] for a girl to go with him. I think he could have them in large numbers for free."

Berlusconi need not fear any prosecution, last year he outlawed any Italian PM being tried while in office. It would also be hard to expect him to succumb to a sense of shame. Meanwhile a nation of voters hides behinds its hands and wishes he would just go away.