Media to blame for scripted, stage-managed politics

Yet as things stand today, the nature of political reporting is working actively against that openness.

We existing in an environment where breaking a glass draws as much media attention as breaking a promise, and where the views of the individual who crosses the floor of Parliament are reported far more widely than the views of 72 colleagues who stand behind their leader.

As long as the media maintains a focus on the trivial, and amplifies division at the expense of reporting substance, politicians will continue to stage manage their words and deeds to minimise any damage.

And that is a shame for all of us.