If you’re on the side of democracy, Nick Clegg, why are you going to work for Facebook? | Carole Cadwalladr

When you take the Zuckerberg shilling, you’re leaving your principles behind you

Dear Nick, congratulations on the new job. Finally, some real power. Deputy prime minister is so last century. You’re now vice-president of global affairs and communications at Facebook, a company that, as Mark Zuckerberg points out, is less a traditional firm than a full-blown nation state. And not just any nation state – the most powerful nation state on Earth, ever, home to 2 billion people and with nothing as inconvenient as elections to get in the way of “progress”. Suck up to the supreme leader and you’re set. Think of it as something like the coalition, only set in Pyongyang in 2022.

And you’re relocating to the real centre of global politics – Silicon Valley. So double cause for congratulations. You won’t be around to enjoy the after-effects of Britain’s historic Brexit vote. You married a Spaniard, worked in Brussels, describe yourself as a passionate European, propped up David Cameron’s coalition for just long enough for him to call a referendum and announced your new job on the eve of the People’s Vote march that you campaigned for. Here’s hoping you’re not going to take the pay cheque and keep your mouth shut, Nick.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2OBKA7r