May 2008

Mayoral candidates vote for social model

The highlight of Backchat’s month (sad as this will no doubt sound) was hearing the reactions of the three London Mayoral candidates when asked to define the social model of disability.

Backchat had predicted that the current Mayor,

Ken Livingstone, would pass this particular test  with flying colours. After all, he claims to have the best record on disability issues of any elected  official in the country.

But no. He was stumped. “Can you explain what you mean by the question?” he said. “I don’t understand the question.”

Boris Johnson’s mildly-stunned and slightly-wounded grimace would be familiar to viewers of Have I Got News For You.

Brian Paddick emitted an exasperated grunt. Following a brief pause,  he said: “Give me a clue. I have discussed it before but I can’t think of it at the moment.”

Much more positive were their reactions when the social model was explained to them.

“That’s pretty obvious,” said Ken. Society, he said, was under a duty to remove the barriers that prevent disabled people making a bigger contribution.

Brian said it was “clearly a much more positive way of looking at things” and “quite rightly puts the responsibility on society rather than the disabled person”.

Boris, meanwhile, almost exploded with enthusiasm. “Go on…” he said. “I see exactly what you’re talking about…yes, that’s absolutely right.”

Blimey. Have we really come so far that our leading politicians have the social model running through them, as if they were sticks of rock, even if they don't realise it?