'We should not be surprised that wives of politicians are politically savvy'

Published on Sunday 14 March 2010 21:53

FOR decades, their role has been that of standing by their partner's side, smiling for the camera and making sure they say absolutely nothing, writes Gareth Rose.

But now the wives of both the Prime Minister and those after his job have become key political figures in their own right.

John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said: ''Gordon Brown's speech at the Labour conference did turn around people's perception of him.

''Whether that would have been as successful without Sarah Brown's intervention, who knows?

''But I think that is the one thing where a wife has been involved that actually made a positive difference.''

David Cameron has made clear that he likes to bounce ideas of his wife Samantha, and trusts her judgment.

Whether this makes Mrs Cameron any different from former spouses such as Cherie Blair or Audrey Callaghan, wife of Jim, who worked in a quango, is doubtful.

Prof Curtice said: ''We know for sure that Tony used to talk to Cherie, we should not be surprised that wives of politicians are politically savvy,''

However, despite the current fashion for politicians' partners to be seen as part of the package, there is no evidence that it actually influences voters.

''We don't know because the truth is that historically leaders' wives have not had a major role,'' Prof Curtice said.

''John Major's wife refused to get involved.

"Jim Callaghan's wife worked in a quango but she did not campaign," he said.

''Margaret Thatcher's husband always accompanied her but kept his mouth shut.

''Cherie to a degree did change things, but she did not have that prominent a role."

He added: ''In years gone by the idea that leaders' wives should have a significant role in the elections has not been part of the British tradition.

''It's interesting that both of them (Brown and Cameron] seem to think this should change."

''We know why Gordon Brown did it – because people needed persuading that he was human. That worked once but not the second time.''