In today’s topsy-turvy political world, it seems that a politician’s merit is no longer measured by effective policy or leadership. Instead, according to some media pundits, the real mark of a true leader is whether or not they’ve binged the latest Netflix series. That’s right — not crucial policy decisions or legislative achievements, but TV shows! This fascinating standard was put on full display when two anchors on a news channel seemed to get visibly frustrated with Kemi Badenoch, a prominent figure in Britain’s Conservative Party, for not watching a series called “Adolescence.”
The anchors could barely contain their disbelief that Badenoch, a seasoned politician, had not yet sat down to consume what they called an important documentary. “Adolescence,” a four-part series on Netflix, might have its fans, but calling it a documentary stretches things a bit. It tackles topics like toxic masculinity and smartphone use, issues they say everyone’s buzzing about. However, Badenoch seems to have made the wise decision to focus on impactful work rather than fictional programs.
In their outburst, the hosts overlooked Badenoch’s pointed argument that one needn’t watch sensationalized drama to understand real-world problems. Using a sharp analogy, she compared watching a medical drama like “Casualty” to get a grasp on healthcare to watching “Adolescence” to understand societal issues. No, one does not have to binge-watch Netflix to comprehend the challenges facing young people or the problems in schools. She rightly emphasized that she was actively engaging with students and educators, hitting the nail on the head about banning smartphones in schools — a tangible step towards addressing some of the very issues the series highlights.
The anchors seemed to have forgotten that the role of political leaders is not to assuage the opinions of media critics by bowing to pop culture, but to enact change via policies that matter. Consider this: What good would it do for a leader to sit in front of a screen dissecting fictional narratives when they could be out there, doing the necessary groundwork? Badenoch’s apparent refusal to partake in the Netflix sensation is a testament to her dedication to practical solutions over performative gestures.
Let it be a lesson that political leadership should focus on engaging directly with those they serve rather than getting caught up in the latest television trends. Actions should speak louder than Netflix episodes. With Badenoch steering her conservative vessel towards real, actionable outcomes, maybe the people of Britain can rest assured they have a leader focusing not on the glitzy allure of streaming platforms but on real-world progress that touches lives — even if the pundits don’t always appreciate the path less taken.
