Quality | 2009.12.14
Letters: The franchise factor
I am both intrigued and concerned by Simon Cowell\'s plans for a "political X Factor" ( Simon says: from pop to politics , 14 December). Such a programme, done well, could help to re-engage young people in politics and educate the public about important and complex issues. It could also help to address the clear failure of established democratic processes to keep pace with people\'s growing preferences to communicate and express themselves via telephone and web-based technologies.
Given the musical and artistic quality of Mr Cowell\'s existing franchises, however, I would be extremely surprised if the proposed debates turn out to be anything other than highly superficial, thereby encouraging the audience to adopt a lazy, ignorant and dangerous mob mentality.
Furthermore, Mr Cowell\'s claim that a public vote could act as some kind of referendum seems rather audacious, considering that only those gullible enough to line his already bloated pockets would be willing to participate.
Simon Lee
London
For more information, please visit
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/15/simon-cowell-xfactor-politics
