Ian Hislop’s elite blindspot

A common argument against populist politicians such as Nigel Farage or Donald Trump is that their attacks on elites are in some sense inauthentic because they themselves are members of those same elites. Trump is, after all, a billionaire who has been prominent in New York corporate circles for almost half a century. His social milieu has included Wall Street titans, very senior politicians, and key figures in the world of entertainment.

Our Nige, meanwhile, may not be a billionaire, but he attended Dulwich College, a prominent public school, and made a good living as a commodities trader in the City. He has wealthy allies, such as the pro-Brexit businessman Arron Banks. His recent sixtieth birthday party was held at an upscale restaurant in Canary Wharf.

How then, goes the argument, can we regard either of these men as genuinely opposed to the establishment? They are mere cynics, exploiting the gullible and resentful masses for their own nefarious purposes.