The only politicians worth their salt to me are what are called conviction politicians. Career politicians really give the word a bad name. people who see it as a duty and not a job so they can retire to consultant positions on boards of companies they helped along the way, or to the comfort of the vermin in the House of Lords. Sorry, I meant to type “ermine”.
To me, the only politicians who deserve any respect are the conviction politicians. Career politicians have dragged the word “politician” through the mud—treating it as a cushy gig, a stepping stone to consultant roles on corporate boards they propped up in office, or a ticket to lounge among the vermin (sorry, I meant “ermine”) in the House of Lords. Conviction politicians, on the other hand, see it as a duty, not a job. They lay out their beliefs, stick to their guns, and do what they promised if they get the chance to lead. I don’t have to agree with their politics—and often I don’t—but I admire their honesty, a quality rarer than a unicorn in Westminster or Washington.
Here’s my list of politicians who, in my view, fit the bill. They come from the left, right, and center, spanning decades and borders. It’s UK-heavy because that’s my lens, but I’m sure there are more out there worth naming. In no particular order, just as they popped into my head:
 | Margaret Thatcher Britain’s “Iron Lady” transformed the UK with free-market reforms and a bulldog refusal to compromise. Loved or loathed, she crushed unions and faced down the Soviets without blinking. |
 | Ron Paul A U.S. libertarian icon, he championed small government and individual liberty with unwavering consistency. Known for opposing the Federal Reserve and endless wars, he stuck to his guns no matter the crowd. |
 | Jimmy Carter A U.S. President who led with quiet faith, pushing human rights and peace over political expediency. Post-office, he built homes and spoke truth, never chasing the limelight. |
 | Keir Hardie The founder of the UK Labour Party, he gave voice to the working class with unshakeable resolve. A pacifist and socialist, he built a movement from the mines up. |
 | Frank Field A Labour MP who fought for welfare reform and the poor with a stubborn moral streak. He crossed party lines when it suited his conscience, not the whip. |
 | Barbara Castle A fiery UK socialist, she battled for equal pay and workers’ rights with unrelenting grit. Her principles shaped Labour’s soul, even when it cost her allies. |
 | Javier Milei Argentina’s fiery libertarian president, championing free markets and limited government with a chainsaw-wielding zeal, reshaping the nation’s political landscape since 2023. |
 | Ronald Reagan America’s sunny conservative redefined the GOP with tax cuts, deregulation, and Cold War bravado. His belief in freedom and a strong nation never wavered, even under fire. |
 | Tony Benn A left-wing titan, he pushed democratic socialism and anti-imperialism to his last breath. Quit Parliament to “spend more time on politics”—and meant it. |
 | John Major A quiet Tory PM, he steered Britain through recession and Maastricht with steady conviction. No flash, just a belief in decency and pragmatism over populism. |
 | Donald Trump A brash outsider, he stormed U.S. politics with promises of disruption and national pride. Love him or hate him, he stuck to his script, defying elites at every turn. |
 | Betty Boothroyd The first woman Speaker of the Commons, she ruled with fairness and a steel backbone. Party didn’t matter—she upheld Parliament’s dignity above all. |
I’m sure there are more, but these are the ones that came to mind.