Top Five Fictional Politicians

A feeling which seems to be common to those who are involved in politics, either directly or as observers is that there isn’t enough political entertainment on TV.  While Channel 4, ITV and the BBC have graced us with some fantastic dramas and comedies, from The New Statesman, House of Cards and Annie’s Bar to modern day tales such as The Trial of Tony Blair, The Thick of It and Mo, these are produced infrequently, at a rate of a handful of hours of television per year.

These are five of my favourite fictional political figures from the best political works in the past decade or so.

5. Senator Arnold Vinick (The West Wing)

I fell in love with Alan Alda as an actor when I saw him in M*A*S*H* repeats. He’s a natural actor who excels at playing believable characters. Known for his left-wing views, Alda must have been an obvious choice to play Vinick, the non-religious, left-leaning Republican who faced off against Matt Santos in final series of the West Wing. Alda and the West Wing writing team created a character who I would have voted for despite being on the opposite side of the political spectrum. Vinick consistently gave the impression of being a throughly decent politician.

4. Nicola Murry MP (The Thick of It)

The Thick of It is very probably one of the best things to be inspired by the New Labour project. Every single character takes attributes from people who have appeared in since 1997, magnifying them and playing them back to illustrate the absurdity of modern politics and the effects of spin. While Malcolm Tucker is undoubtedly the most amusing character, Nicola Murry is the very epitome of the post-Blair Minister, with a wonderful well meaning but not quite on the ball attitude. It’s easy to imagine Bob Ainsworth, Hazel Blears or any of the lesser known Ministers of the last few years facing similar problems. A very apt caricature indeed.

3. Havelock Vetinari (Discworld Novels)

I have a grudging admiration for Machiavellian politicians, up to and including Lord Mandleson. However, there is no-one who is quite as Machiavellian as Terry Pratchett’s assassin-trained Patrician. Lest we forget, this particular politican is known for his creative forms of execution, always getting his way (unless Sam Vimes is involved), regulating crime by legalising it and masterminding political intrigues which make the de Medici family look like rank amateurs. His slightly sinister, but extremely stylish leadership is only improved by his infrequent and brief appearances in the Discworld books.

2.  Laura Roslin (Battlestar Galactica)

Laura Roslin is very possibly the worst politician on this list. Unlike Bartlett or Vinick, she acts with her heart rather then her head, letting her personal beliefs (amongst other things) cloud her judgement on numerous occasions. Despite this, she does do a statesmanly job in terrible circumstances, standing up to military coups, terrorists, cultists, robots, robots that look like humans and cancer during the exodus to the 13th colony. She wouldn’t get my vote, but she is an interesting and compelling character who is a refreshing counter to the predominantly martial atmosphere of BSG.

1. President Jed Bartlett (The West Wing)

President Bartlett has an approval rating which can only be dreamed of by real world politicians. Members of staff involved in both the Clinton and Obama administrations have spoken admiringly of the character, while Obama was hailed as ‘a real-life President Bartlett’ during his election campaign. It goes without saying that President Bartlett is the ultimate idealised politician – a PhD in Economics, strong religious beliefs which he doesn’t let effect his decision making, humble, at times an under-dog, willing to face down his opponents but willing to compromise because sometimes that’s better then nothing – yet possesses convincing human flaws. I suspect it would take some doing to find someone who has seen the whole of the West Wing and who would not vote for Bartlett.