TOTW: why do we judge politicians so harshly for adolescent drug use?

Recently Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster came under scrutiny for his previous drug use and this had us wondering, why do we judge politicians so harshly for previous drug use? The reality is most politicians such as Boris Johnson and David Cameron have admitted to some sort of drug use in their youth, and this isn’t dissimilar to the youthful experiences of most of the population.
Whilst some may feel outraged at their drug use or appalled at the hypocrisy of it all, as governments continue to push policies of recreational drug prohibition for drugs they have indulged in themselves. However delivering a barrage of scrutiny to politicians adds fuel to the hypocrisy and also adds momentum to such policies. One could argue we should spend less time passing judgement on politicians for their adolescent drug use and more concentration on if they are effective in their role at present.
Before you may proudly profess you haven’t indulged in recreational drug use of any sort, and thus feel entitled to deliver judgement, the reality is the majority of the population have, and with elections won on merely 51%, we all know the majority stands…
#FLODown: We would rather a political figure that has lived through similar experiences to the general public and applies lessons from their life experiences to their decision-making.
Autumn is always a busy time for art in London, with Frieze Week in October drawing international attention. But beyond the fairs, the city’s museums and galleries are offering a strong line-up of exhibitions worth seeing. From the V&A’s exploration of Marie Antoinette Styleto Tate Modern’s major survey of Nigerian Modernism, there is much to engage with. Dirty Looks at the Barbican…
The timing of this exhibition could not be better. At the end of a long winter, and egging on London’s reluctant spring, the Saatchi Gallery brings us FLOWERS in full bloom…
The Royal Academy Summer Show has returned for its 257th exhibition. Curated under the theme of ‘Dialogues,’ the 2025 edition is coordinated by internationally acclaimed architect and Royal Academician Farshid Moussavi and explores art’s capacity to forge dialogues and build sensitivity towards societal concerns such as ecology, survival and living together…
In a world that rarely pauses, home has become more than a backdrop. It’s a place to exhale, recalibrate, and reconnect with ourselves. Whether you live in a compact East London flat or a sprawling Georgian town house, creating a sanctuary is more about intention than scale…
Explore the top reasons visitors prefer cab services in the UK. Get insights into airport taxis, professional drivers, easy booking, and comfortable travel…
With shows ranging from historical military art to queer talismans, pop protest, and the power of drawing, here is our guide to the art exhibitions to see in London in July 2025…
Marylebone’s best-kept secret, Portman Square Garden, is once again set to bloom with life and laughter as Summer in the Square returns in July 2025. Now in its 11th year, this free community festival transforms the usually private garden into a lively…
The South London Gallery will open Thrill, Fill, Spill, a major solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Yto Barrada, on 26 September 2025. Renowned for her cross-disciplinary practice that weaves together sculpture, textiles, film and painting…
Tate Modern will unveil Nigerian Modernism, the first major UK exhibition to chart the evolution of modern art in Nigeria. Opening in October 2025, the show will present more than 250 works by over 50 artists, exploring a rich period from colonial rule through independence and into the global present…
Edward Burra described painting as a ‘sort of drug’, a tonic to the rheumatoid arthritis that plagued his daily existence. Under its influence, he became one of the great observers of the twentieth century, creating vivid and surreal scenes that captured a rapidly changing society. The latest exhibition of Burra’s work at the Tate Britain…