CAMPAIGN WIVES.

Ever started a post and it's turned into a bit of a monster in that you thought you had little to say on the subject and yet find that, once started, you actually have plenty to say? Well, this is rapidly becoming one of those posts - I just seem to keep adding as more occurs to me.

Anyway, let me begin by saying that this is in no way meant as a comprehensive guide to the British electoral system but rather my take on one issue that intrigues me.

Here in the UK we are in the grips of GENERAL ELECTION fever. Something I admit I don't have much interest in as, to be honest, to me it seems to make very little difference as to who gets in for long gone are the days when LABOURstood for the 'common' man (and later women for don't forget it wasn't until 1928 here in the UK that women were granted the same EQUAL voting rights as men) in the street and the CONSERVATIVES for, well, the rest.

Mind you. I suppose it was much easier then as there were only the two parties to choose from whereas today we have the three main parties - Labour, Conservative (Tory) and LIBERAL DEMOCRATS (Lib Dem), plus a variety of other, largely lesser known parties, as well as the INDEPENDENT Candidate(s) who is not usually affiliated to any party and, finally, occasionally a rather, shall we say, 'Odd-ball' party such as THE MONSTER RAVING LOONY PARTY.

But I don't really want to go into all that, no I'll leave that to Husband dearest who has begun blogging again such is his interest in the election (click HERE to see what he has to say on the matter).

No, I want to talk about the wives of our prospective Prime Ministers, two of who are somewhat in the spotlight at the moment.

The much talked about Sarah, wife of our now Prime Minister (PM) Gordon Brown, (both pictured to the left) who had, as the Telegraph, reported (but not until after they had commented on her dress) THIS TO SAY at the Labour Party Conference earlier this week.

AND

Samantha (Sam Cam), wife of Conservative leader David Cameron. (both pictured to the right) who if we are to believe everything the INDEPENDENT newspaper says is "slowly and unavoidably (but I ask, is she?) becoming a public figure."

Since when did wives become so involved in the political careers of their husbands? Since when did what they had to say make a difference as to who we voted for?

Ok, there was the wife of HAROLD MACMILLAN (PM 1957-63) whose wife (Lady Dorothy Cavendish) I'm informed played a huge part in his political life but only because she was his official chauffeur. Then there was Dennis, husband of our only female PM, MARGARET THATCHER (PM 1974-90) who was often seen and talked about but was never heard to comment himself. And finally (and perhaps here's where it all started) Cherie, wife of our last PM, TONY BLAIR (PM 1997-2007) who occasionally made her views known but never in the same was as these current candidate's wives do.

To me of much more appeal and much more worthy of our respect is Miriam, wife of Lib Dem leader NICK CLEGG (both pictured below) who has thus far maintained a somewhat dignified silence despite I'm sure being every bit as supportive of her husband as Sarah and Samantha are of theirs.What do you think?

UPDATE:- I do believe that I'm going to have to take back the words I've just written about Miriam Clegg. It is only today that I've had the opportunity to read the Sunday newspapers and what is the main picture on the front page of THE OBSERVER? - (You guessed) Nick and Miriam Clegg, during her first campaign appearance on Saturday.