In an era where trust in public figures crumbles faster than a biscuit in tea, Marina Hyde’s latest Guardian column delivers a razor-sharp critique of British politics. With her signature wit, Hyde highlights the tragicomic irony: the only institution left with any credibility might just be BBC’s The Traitors, where deception is celebrated—not disguised.
A Reality Show More Transparent Than Politics
Hyde’s piece begins with a damning parallel: while The Traitors thrives on lies, contestants at least admit they’re lying. Westminster, meanwhile, spins falsehoods as strategy, leaving voters to untangle truth from spin.
“On The Traitors, betrayal comes with eye contact,” Hyde quips. “In Downing Street, they’ll convince you the knife was yours all along.”
The show’s appeal, Hyde argues, lies in its unabashed dishonesty—traitors deceive, faithful uncover them, and viewers enjoy the spectacle. Compare that to British politics, where scandals and broken promises barely raise eyebrows anymore.
The Crisis of Trust in Public Figures
Hyde mourns the absence of credible leadership, citing revolving-door PMs, scandal-plagued ministers, and eroding faith in democracy. The bitter punchline? A scripted reality show feels more authentic than Parliament’s pantomime.
“Given the choice—today’s cabinet or Claudia Winkleman’s backstabbers—who would you trust to run the country?” Hyde asks. The answer is as obvious as it is depressing.
Why The Traitors Reflects Our Political Disillusionment
Beyond satire, Hyde’s column dissects a deeper issue: The Traitors resonates because it offers the transparency politics lacks. In Westminster, deceit wears a mask of necessity; on TV, it’s just part of the game.
“When a traitor gets caught, they’re dramatically banished,” Hyde writes. “In politics, they’re more likely to get a peerage.”
Her critique strikes a chord because it exposes a universal frustration: those in power play by different rules—and rarely lose.
Conclusion: Accountability as Entertainment
Hyde doesn’t propose fixes; the satire is the point. If a game show’s villains feel more honest than elected leaders, maybe it’s time to ask why.
“Until Westminster embraces reality-TV-level accountability,” she concludes, “we’ll keep watching The Traitors for our dose of truthful treachery.”
For now, Britain’s most reliable institution is one where the bad guys know they’re bad—and own it. As Hyde reminds us, that’s as funny as it is grim.
