Does a politicians private life matter?

michaels

I'm a bit wary of posting this but I think it matters.

This BBC piece notes that Ed Milliband is not named on his child's birth certificate (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11433642). I have no problems with his having a child without being married but I do feel that taking responsibility for one's children is important and question why he is not on the birth certificate.

Any thoughts?

Edit: I haven't voted yet - my initial answer is no it shouldn't matter but may be I am showing my age that his not being named on the birth certificate seems strange - can the mother refuse to allow the father to be named even if he wants to be?

Edit: Thanks LemonJ for answering the last point but the issue of whether a father should have the right to be acknowledged on the birth certificate is probably for a different discussion.

StevieJ

Much to intrusive? unless of course he is thinking of making it a hanging offence and claiming parliamentary privilege for himself

Jonbvn

I think it has to matter to some extent. If a politician had a private life like some of the salubrious posters on here, I would never vote for them.

Andy_L

Both really, IMO it only matters if there is hipocrisy and/or deceit involved. eg if he'd said "being named as a father on the birth certificate is essential to family life" then it would matter if he wasn't named, otherwise its irrelevant.

btw are there any legal implications of not being named the father on the birth certificate?

chewmylegoff

politicians' private lives are important, but not in this kind of granular detail. it's a bit of a non issue really.

in terms of higher level stuff - if a politician doesn't understand that going into politics means their private life will be scrutinised by the media and that therefore they have to behave themselves, then they are too stupid to be a politician.

lostinrates

Yes....to a degree. I don't care what people eat for supper (unless they are eating unethically while campaigning for other), what they do in bed, where they went to school or if their second cousin is a reprobate. I do care that they are reasonably honest (I don't expect a saint, and frankly would feel ill served by one) and sincere.

AMILLIONDOLLARS

If it's his then he should be man enough to acknowledge the child. I wonder what he will do when the second one arrives?

Just read:

Mr Miliband is not named on the birth certificate of the couple's first child - something he admitted he was "really embarrassed" about - but he said he would make sure not to miss out a second time. I am not sure but I think that he can have the first certificate amended>

AMD

FATBALLZ

!!!!!!!! I clicked yes instead of no. All that matters is that he represents his constituents as per his job description. Obviously in practice if he gets jiggy with sheep or indulges in other dubious activity you'd question his morals and ability to do the job so you'd be less likely to vote for them, but once they're in all I care about is if they do the job.

FTBFun

I couldn't care less, as long as it doesn't impact their job of course.

Graham_Devon

Not really.

Though when they are buying their !!!!!! on the tax payer tab, or claiming their private family home through the taxpayer it does matter

lemonjelly

michaels wrote: »

I'm a bit wary of posting this but I think it matters.

This BBC piece notes that Ed Milliband is not named on his child's birth certificate (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11433642). I have no problems with his having a child without being married but I do feel that taking responsibility for one's children is important and question why he is not on the birth certificate.

Any thoughts?

Edit: I haven't voted yet - my initial answer is no it shouldn't matter but may be I am showing my age that his not being named on the birth certificate seems strange - can the mother refuse to allow the father to be named even if he wants to be?

An unmarried mother automatically has full parental responsibility & accordingly full parental rights. Effectively an unmarried mother can choose whether to take the father along to register the birth, or not.

Since December 1 2003, an unmarried father named on the birth certificate also has these parental rights. Prior to this date, a male named on a birth certificate meant nothing in law.

Perhaps the mother wished to retain sole parental rights & responsibilities? In the advice world, it is certainly something we see, & there is nothing an alleged father can do to force the mother to include him on the birth certificate.