I’ll continue to ‘interpret the optics’ by observing what she says and how she behaves rather than her appearance.
Although I must say that however I judge her, she seems like a deeply unpleasant sort.
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Yes - I’m with you on this one Brian.
Far be it from me to defend a Tory - but it does occur to me that that photo, complete with the fat cigar allusion to every cartoon tycoon, may have seemed funny at the time…
I’d certainly be thinking twice about taking any direction from her health wise - not an ideal advert
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She’s a public figure and the public face of the government’s health programme. In a different ministry her physical condition wouldn’t be an issue, but in her present role it’s potentially problematic. Similarly, if radio was still the primary broadcasting medium this might not be an issue. However, in a predominantly visual media environment, how can she be a convincing proponent of government health policies? In other words; even with her best intentions it’s difficult to see how she can do ‘her job properly.’
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.What you seem to be saying is that your shapes dictates what job you do.
We have been picking leaders by what they look like on tv for a while and look where that has brought us pretty faces with sod all substance.
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Boris pretty?
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I don’t agree. I don’t know the reasons for her obesity but if you see it as a health condition (which it may well be) then it is no different than a health minister having arthritis for example. Would you be saying the same thing with other health concerns?
So I had a chat with my mum about Maggie de Block, and she was incredibly popular throughout Belgium as a health minister, in both the Walloon and Flemish regions. She had been extremely popular as a GP as well.
She was obviously qualified but also had the gift of the gab and knew how to communicate well with people. After Covid apparently she did lose quite a bit of popularity as there were criticisms of her approach. But to answer your question, being a health minister is going to be more than just looking the part, whatever that may be.
None of this btw is a defence of course of the current appalling government in the UK. They appear to be selected on just how incompetent they can be.
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I wonder if a minister can be effective if they are not sympathetic to the objects of a particular department? As an extreme example, could a pacifist head up the Ministry of Defence?
I think it is entirely possible for her to be an effective manager of her department. But that does not make her an appropriate head for this (highly sensitive) department.
OH told me there have been cartoons around of her smoking a cigar for some time. I didn’t believe it. Hence my posting the photo of her smoking and drinking (with drink spilt down her front). This has nothing to do now with how she does or does not look. This is a woman who has no concern for her own health, so how can she lead from the front when it comes to implementing health strategies across the country? ie don’t do as I do, do as I tell you. I’d rather have a Minister of Health who walks the talk.
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I think there can at least be one certainty…
anyone caught snogging her behind the door to her office on camera has to be seriously questioned as to their sanity 
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.What you seem to be saying is that your shapes dictates what job you do.
I don’t 'seem to be saying’anything of the kind!
I suggested that, ’ In a different ministry her physical condition wouldn’t be an issue, but in her present role it’s potentially problematic. ’ That’s very different.
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Run away 
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Hmmm, I think that Arts and Culture ministers are usually chosen for their lack of engagement with the ministry’s remit. Was Norman St John Stevas (1973-4) the last one who could have been described as knowledgeable?
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l rther suspect she will go the libertarian route, making no suggestions. Pity, she’ll possibly make no attempt to reduce the demand on the health service. I’m surprised/interested that no-ne has mentioned that she smokes cigars.
Note that Dr Mark wrote ‘someone who looks as though they have neglected their health’.
‘Facts’ are not required here. Simply an assessment by anyone who knows what an obese person looks like and, as in this case, is justified in that assessment. I was not weighed when I was admitted to hospital a couple of years ago but I saw my description as ‘obese Caucasian male’ [this was in the USA]. And I am indeed overweight.
As elephants go, not much of one.
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I’m sure I’m not the only one whose maths teacher surprised by showing how a seven stone woman in stiletto heels put more pressure on the floor than an elephant. Fortunately for our wooden floors…
I have - once showing her photograph and then in my post underneath - perhaps you are muting me? 
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That didn’t showup in what l read. Muting you - or anyone - is way above my pay grade!
There’s only one way Coffey addresses the optics - by slamming a glass directly under them!
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