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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
John Crace

Penitent Tice tussles with The Unbearable Lightness of His Being

Richard Tice gestures as he speaks on stage, with a mirror image of him reflected on a nearby surface
‘I want to begin with an apology,’ said Dicky. And for once he sounded almost genuine. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images

Call it a Christmas miracle. For this was the day when Richard Tice sent in his application to become a fully paid-up member of Woke. The day the Reform deputy leader tried to break free from his role as the perennial sidekick. An insignificant blot on the Nigel Farage landscape. When he tried to show he was able to think his own thoughts. Be his own man. Release the closet liberal inside. No longer have to apologise for his existence at the posh dinners he enjoys so much.

Yet Dicky will always be Dicky. Unable to escape The Unbearable Lightness of His Being. When he looks in the mirror, even he has to agree there is less than meets the eye. So it was inevitable he crashed and burned as usual. There are just too many contradictions that he can’t reconcile. A lifetime of trying to be loved has left him unsure of who he really is. A neurotic narcissist with a large ego and next to no self-worth.

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