A Taste of Irony for the Tea Party Movement

Anger over government intervention in the markets, bailout plans and spending were the main stimuli behind the rise of the Tea Party movement in the US. However despite clear signs that at least some of the electorate is dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, the current US government remains locked in a Keynesian struggle against a faltering economy, attempting to spend its way out of cavernous holes, continuing the trend promulgated under the previous administration. Regardless of which party banner major politicians march under these days, it would appear that austerity is not among the rallying cries of choice. Those truly interested in change as it pertains to government spending are therefore left with figureheads that typically attract more laughter than support outside the circles of those who have lately embraced if not self-proclaimed the appellation 'Teabaggers.'

However, looking beyond the shores of the US, there is at least one role model the party could embrace as a spiritual figurehead; an individual who has put many of the party's own political aspirations and government downsizing fantasies into practice. Someone who, though he has been at times called extreme by some, has gained respect, even if grudgingly so, from political foes in equal measure to that from his allies. In addition, the irony of his London-stamped birth certificate would be delicious enough for even Tea Party members to slyly enjoy. That individual is George Osborne, the current UK Chancellor of the Exchequer in David Cameron's coalition government. For those interested in Osborne, the Financial Times has much more on the 39-year-old aspirant to 10 Downing Street here.

UPDATE: Then again...