There are two types of people when it comes to thinking about politics.
One group, given the slightest opportunity, will rant and rave about crooked politicians and how dreadful it all is and how they can't be trusted. They won't do bugger all about it though.
And the second group recognises that there are very good reasons why politicians are as they are, and recognise the enormous value of having people in government who will spin on a die if the situation demands it.
These people also know that you can't – in fact you shouldn't – *change* the system. What you need to do is make sure that the associated problems with power and politicians are kept to a minimum.
And most of these problems stem from one politician owing another politician a favour. In fact, it is fair to say that you cannot remain a politician for long without building up a stack of favours owed and favours given. It is also true to say that you simply aren't allowed into the higher levels of government unless people feel they have some kind of control over you or an ace in their sleeve to be used at the right moment. This is why admirable and honest men rarely make it into the Cabinet, and never make it to the top posts.
What is unusual though is when that favour is created and built in public, on the front page of the newspapers. Such is the case with David Cameron, a young man who looks set to become leader of the Conversative Party and very possibly prime minister in the next few years.
Mr Cameron was given a bit of a baptism of fire with one of the oldest tricks in the book: drug allegations.
The extraordinary hypocrisy surrounding drugs is a wonder to behold. Kate Moss was recently hauled over the coals for it. Politicians and journalists alike were shocked to hear Kate Moss had taken cocaine. Even though there isn't a single intelligent person in this country that didn't suspect Kate Moss was a regular drug user.
Journalists are massive drug users. And a good number of politicians would have used them in the past because alot of politicians are natural risk-takers.
But, of course, no one can ever *admit* to having taken drugs. There is still a large chunk of the electorate they didn't spend their teenage years and twenties in the ubiquitous drug culture that now exists. And somehow there is this belief that you just shouldn't be allowed near the prime ministership unless you are:
a) Straight, and preferably married, and
b) Someone who has never taken drugs
Cameron was faced with that most blunt of controlling instruments: a press that asked the same question over and over again. And then commented on how they had been asking the same question over and over again. For Cameron this amounted to: have you ever taken cocaine?
The answer, which everyone already knows, is “Yes. Many times.”
But here he is on the front page of The Guardian: “Last night, Mr Cameron finally addressed the speculation about past drug use during an interview on Channel 4 News. The 39-year-old said 'lawmakers cannot be lawbreakers', and when quizzed about whether he had ever snorted cocaine as an MP, he said: 'No.'
“Asked again to clarify whether he had ever taken the drug as an MP, Mr Cameron said: 'I have absolutely answered your question… I have just said no.' “
There's several things that have just happpened here.
1. Channel 4 was given the interview that people wanted because they promised Mr Cameron's people they would ask a specific question: Have you ever taken cocaine **as an MP**? Thereby answering the “drug question” without answering it. It's a clever opt-out because he clearly took plenty of cocaine when not an MP (which has only been four years btw).
2. Mr Cameron has entered the big time and now already owes favours to everyone he has been honest to about his drug use. Plus anyone who has taken coke with him. He has been assured by people that now he's hit the big time, he will be protected. The price of that protection will only come clear at some uncertain date in the future.
3. Mr Cameron has made it clear that he is willing to lie to get to where he wants to go. This means those in powerful positions don't have to be scared of him spilling the beans or folding under pressure when he cuts the dozens of dodgy deals that are coming his way in the next 10 years.
4. He has created his first weakness. Every newspaper and politician will now be preparing to use any evidence they have of him taking cocaine – or any drug – as leverage at a later date. He can be certain that the allegations will not appear again if he does media owners the occasional favour – especially if he becomes prime minister, at which point he will have the power to make all sorts of problems disappear.
And so it is that the first favour is laid down. It makes perfect sense for Mr Cameron. Yes, he took drugs but he sure as shit won't take any more from now on. Why on earth should he ruin his career just when he's on the cusp of real power because of something he did in the past?
And yet if he was honest – which at this stage, aged 39, he probably wanted to be – it would be curtains for him. He took some well-heeded advice about saying “No” to the right people at the right time. He will now listen to those advisors again when he's in a tight spot. And those people will therefore gain their own form of power.
And so the circle continues. It will all work out fine. The big problem, or risk of the big problem, will be in making sure that the drug issue isn't used later to force him to make a decision that is against the country's wider interests.
In effect, to keep him on the straight and narrow as far as is possible. And ironically it will be the press – the very people most likely to use this stick to beat him – that will be responsible for making sure he doesn't abuse the power that is headed his way.
And that is just the way the world works.