I must admit I haven't read either Cowley or Norton, but I do wonder if Hanna's position, though his recent article doesn't make it explicit, is not more accurately understood as a lament on the loss
of amateurism as a virtue in the political establishment (the amateur MP, the eccentric parliamentarian, the independent - minded representative, which
of course gives the Hannan position indirectly: the professionalisation
of politics and political parties, the well - drilled party
system and an overbearing executive).