My argument for why personality does matter in politics, for the OxfordMail's "The Issue" column... The row over apparent bullying inside Number 10 seems to me to be blown outof all proportion. Everyone has agreed that Gordon Brown is not personallyaccused of bullying and he is probably just as damaged by the incompetentdenials from Mandelson and others as by the original allegations themselves. There is however a more important issue at the heart of the matter - whetherthe personality of our politicians matters. Surely it must. In all cases weshould be interested in the kind of people that we elect to take decisionson our behalf. Naturally politicians should be entitled to a private life,but their own personality must impact on the way in wish they conductthemselves in public office. We would not want to see a doctor who we considered to be uncaring, or tosend our children to a school where we thought the teachers were notcommitted. Our own personalities guide our motives in everyday life, and Ifor one don't see how it is possible to separate the two. To look at the current case about to be put before the electorate, DavidCameron of Gordon Brown. David Cameron is, I believe rightly, seen by manyas a passionate leader, how cares for the people he wishes to serve. Manysee Gordon Brown as remote and disconnected from the public. There arehugely important issues of public policy that will be put to the electorate later this year, but we cannot believe that the type of leader we have is irrelevant.