Organisation: Celebrity Big Brother

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Analysis and commentary by Echo Research.

As political gambles go, George Galloway's entry into Celebrity Big Brother seems to be right up there with Charles Kennedy's confession to liking a drink. Will it, as Galloway hopes, provide him with a " Heineken" (Guardian, 7/1) opportunity to influence young voters about the Iraq war, or will unforeseen events in the BB hothouse and its " nudity, intoxicated sex and swearing" (Independent, 6/1) damage the maverick MP beyond repair? Weekend media comment was not promising: " A farcical and distasteful stunt (yes, even for him)" (Scotsman, 7/1); " Big Brother has demeaned itself and Channel 4 has made a huge mistake" (The Sun, 6/1); " What sign is it giving the Muslim community?" (utv.co.uk, 6/1).
But it will be the voters of Bethnal Green and their interests in a different House that will decide the outcome of Galloway's gamble. " His constituents have been left without help … and without a voice in Parliament" noted the Daily Telegraph (7/1), setting the scene for three weeks' damaging coverage (unless he is an early evictee). On Monday the Evening Standard took the bait, highlighting Galloway's likely absence at a Commons debate with the headline: " George misses the vote" (9/1). With little hope of an amnesty, Galloway may conclude that disco dancing with Tariq Assiz was a breeze compared to withstanding the BB media storm.
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