You have to admit it: talk of the 'curse of Cameron' - an unfortunate series of events where British sporting teams and individuals have lost or done less well than expected while our beloved PM is in attendance - is pretty absurd. Of course, were it the other way round, then Tory press would be harping on about the curse of Brown, or Milliband, or whoever, but that's not the point; it's probably a damning indictment of the state of political debate in the UK. How can the presence or otherwise of a particular person, amid a crowd of thousands of other spectators, really bring about defeat or victory? No more than an unfortunate set of coincidences. End of. Apparently Cameron was even advised to stay away, at one point. It's utterly ridiculous.
But then again, blaming other people for things which are by no means their fault has become a trade-mark of this government. Blame has been directed at the poor, the weak, the immigrant, the 'foreign', the last government; indeed against anyone other than Cameron's friends who might actually be responsible. In fact, while we're on the topic of sport, only today the odious Cameron blamed school teachers for shortcomings in school sport (when it has been Tory governments that have forced schools to sell off playing fields, and have cut funds and other arrangements). It's reported here. As Mark Steel wrote today, if the games really were about Cameronian Tory values, the winners would inherit their medals and blame the rest for wanting 'something for nothing'.
So yes, it is ludicrous to blame Cameron for sporting disappointments and if it costs him politically then that is even more ridiculous. But I hope it does. I really do. Try a taste of your own medicine, Dave. Like it?
