The Piper

Here's a little riddle. Just complete this sentence in a way which doesn't make a mockery of our democratic process:

Rupert Murdoch, the Australian media baron who lives in the United States, is entitled to wield enormous influence over British politics because...

Anyone? Because he's very rich? Because he can? Because all British politicians are scared of the Scum?

If there is an answer, I've yet to think what it could possibly be.

The man who owns the Scum, the NotW, the Times, and Sky News has been speaking rather a lot recently about the possibly of switching his support from Labour back to the Tories under Cameron. This, I really don't think it's an exaggeration to say, could have a crucial effect on the outcome of the next general election.

Only the most cynical of people could possibly argue that the new Home Secretary's recent actions, which prompted the NotW to proclaim that it had won a "massive victory", are in any way related to Murdoch's not even thinly veiled threat to switch sides. I mean, this government pandering to a right wing authoritarian media baron in an attempt to garner his continuing support? The very thought...

This week, Murdoch, not content with that "massive victory", has continued to play coy about his intentions. Clearly, the current electoral position, where the outcome of the next general election is very much up for grabs, gives him added leverage over the politicians who seek his approval. It's no wonder he doesn't want a snap election. Why on earth would he want to cut short a period in which the leaders of the two parties are both going to be dancing to his tune?

Tags: News, Politics, Ruper Murdoch, Media