One of the problems for the Conservative party is that unlike its Labour opponents, it simply cannot attract the right kind of high profile supporters. Whilst all kinds of comedians and actors line up with its Labour opponents to ensure that everyone knows, despite their millions, how anti-capitalist and caring they are, the Conservatives are saddled with the likes of Jim Davidson and Paul Daniels.
The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) must have a similar sort of problem with its in-house celebrity, Bill Oddie. Oddie, who has struggled with deteriorating mental health over a number of years, recently claimed that “everyone knew about Jimmy Saville”, although Oddie when interviewed, offered no explanation as to why as one of those who “knew” he made no attempt to speak out. It’s a mystery. But then mystery seems to dog the diminutive pogonophile. Last year he talked about the “mystery incident” which led to his being outed from the BBC Springwatch programme, although those close to his then co-presenter, Kate Humble, will tell you there was no mystery about how she felt sharing a cramped hide with him.
Still, all this has left Oddie with more time to stoke up his class driven loathing for the shooting sports. Speaking recently at an LACS symposium he described shooting as “elitist and vile” and much else besides. Given his track record for making dumb statements and increasingly barmy claims, it would be unlikely if right now LACS executives were not preparing a suitably lengthy barge pole as insurance again the time when Oddie finally goes off the deep end.