British politician believes all politicos “should wear” their sponsors on their clothes

Zack Polanski went on SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma to give a hot take. The British politician and leader of the Green Party believes that all politicians should wear their sponsors on their clothes. If Formula One racers are transparent about their sponsors, so should politicians.

What’s there to hide unless the sponsor is detestable?

Polanski said, “Politicians should wear who sponsors them all over their clothes.” Rahma agreed with the take, which, interestingly enough, was a reference to a George Carlin comedy stand-up set. Although Carlin never made the suggestion for politicians to be transparent about their sponsors, he did make a commentary about how they’re responsible for funding politicians and their campaigns. Polanski’s take puts a nice bow on top of Carlin’s commentary.

Polanski continued, “You have politicians on TV who are like repping for oil and gas companies, arms trade companies, gambling companies, private healthcare companies—there should be a ticker at the bottom of the screen that says, ‘This is who sponsors you.'”

Who, or what are people even voting for?

Rahma pointed out, “Even the Tube tells us who’s sponsoring it.” So, why shouldn’t politicians be as transparent about who funds them and their political ambitions?

The host added, “Even in my business, when I do an ad for a company, I have to disclose that it’s an ad.” And yet with politicians, their sponsors don’t seem to be public knowledge. Even if it is, people have to be savvy with technology to dig up sponsorship disclosures.

Polanski told Rahma, “I could be sat here right now, sponsoring the Tube, and you wouldn’t know about it.” He clarified he didn’t sponsor the railway, but the point is, most people don’t really know who funds their representatives.

Rahma expressed concern over the lack of transparency. “It’s crazy, because you don’t know what you’re voting for if you don’t know where the money is coming from. So, I might see a candidate who’s saying all the right things, but then I look into the funders, and all of a sudden I’m like, ‘Oh, he’s obviously lying to get the vote.'”

Zack Polanski makes an even more “controversial” take

“I don’t think politicians should be taking dirty money anyway,” Polanski said. He thought this was a wild claim, which is telling on the current state of democracy. He continued, “I think they should be funded by regular members, which is the Green Party, by the way.”

The Green Party in the United Kingdom has been staunchly opposed to mega-rich donors and corporation-based funding. Although Polanski mentioned they are 95% individually funded, the percentage is actually higher at 96%.

“Corporate-sponsored lobbyist money has infiltrated politics. I actually think that is what destroyed democracy,” Rahma remarked. To that, Polanski agreed.

The only disagreement the two had was whether or not politicians should ever be wearing their suits with ties. Needless to say, there was lots of support for the sentiment online, with one praising Polanski’s “social media game.”

But Polanski and Rahma only mentioned disclosures on screen. Perhaps it would even be better for politicians to sign their names on acts and bills, then submit a list of their sponsors as part of protocol. That way, it would be easier to tell why certain politicians might swing one way or the other on an issue. This is all theoretical, of course—because Western democracy, at this time, is being assailed by corporate interests.

But if political coalitions like the Green Party can still thrive even with a majority of donations coming from individuals who care about their communities, who’s to say that the fight is over? People are tired of corporations being put before their needs, and the cracks are starting to show.

(featured image: SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma)

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