Too much protection

I am all in favour of free speech and peaceful demonstration but it is almost getting to a point that politicians will not be able to leave their offices without being attacked or confronted by demonstrations. On Tuesday night the President of the Balearic government Jose Ramon Bauza was met by an angry crowd in Manacor. Three police officers were injured after they were allegedly attacked by demonstrators. Now, obviously the spending cuts have not made any government popular at the moment but there is no place for mindless violence. Let us remember that Bauza was voted in by the majority of Balearic residents with a clear mandate to rule and bring the economic crisis under control. If elected politicians have to leave their offices under heavy police escort it doesn´t say much for our democracy. Shielding politicians from the angry mob is not the way forward. Dialogue is the best policy. The leader of the Balearic government is surrounded by at least three security guards 24 hours a day and judging by the incidents in Manacor the other night they are needed. One thing I admire about British politicians is that they are not shielded to such a degree as their Spanish counterparts. When former cabinet ministers John Prescott or David Blunkett came to the island on holiday they had no security with them at all. It is rather ironic that the Balearic Presidents need three minders but British cabinet ministers need none. Does that tell you something?