[CCIP]

Meh, exactly "democracy" at work. A public servant sure has trouble speaking in a public place - okay, that's understandable. Maybe not the right time of day. But "who are you?" - give me a break. What lies underneath that question is the ugly fact that politicians prefer to have their public images managed and are in fact mortified by the chance that kids on the street might catch their likeness saying something 'on record'.

Look, if you're a public servant of this sort, prepare to have yourself questioned by - gasp - the public. That means by anyone, anywhere. What does it matter WHO? Any member of the public has their right to ASK. And they have every right to record themselves asking. Now it's up to the representative whether to answer, and if it wasn't the time or place - I think it was his every right NOT to, and would've been wise not to. He should've just walked away, and that's that. Making a scene like that is silly. And again, just points to the fact that away from his PR managers, this guy is a hopeless dud. Can't behave himself in public to save his life.

Hope this circulates. Public officers allergic to the public need to be given a swift kick in the behind.