Jacob and Helena Rees-Mogg abandon politics for a surprising new venture
- Jacob Rees-Mogg agreed to be filmed by a documentary crew in early 2024, focusing on his family and life as a politician.
- Unexpectedly, he lost his parliamentary seat in July after an early general election called by Rishi Sunak.
- The documentary portrays a softer image of Rees-Mogg and raises questions about his aims to build a new public persona.
In early 2024, Jacob Rees-Mogg, a well-known figure in British politics, agreed to be filmed by a documentary crew aiming to showcase the realities of life with one of Britain's most divisive politicians. However, the political landscape shifted unexpectedly when Rishi Sunak called for a general election in July, leading to Rees-Mogg's loss of his parliamentary seat. As a result, the documentary, titled 'Meet the Rees-Moggs', begins with an intimate portrayal of a family dealing with the implications of their patriarch potentially losing his political role. This six-part Discovery+ series features not only Rees-Mogg and his heiress wife, Helena, but also their children, their two homes, and various other characters sharing glimpses of their lives. The series captures a family dynamic, including humorous moments like their sons debating if their residence qualifies as a mansion and the children regularly dining in formal attire, adhering to their tradition of black-tie supper every Saturday. The presentation, though engaging as a piece of reality television, has drawn criticism for offering a softened portrayal of Jacob Rees-Mogg, contrasting sharply with his public image as a prominent Brexiteer and a controversial political figure. Critics have noted that the editing style paints him as a benign character, minimizing his more contentious political persona and possibly attempting to reshape public perception towards a more amiable public figure. The motivations behind Rees-Mogg's involvement in such a 'lowbrow' venture remain unclear, with speculation ranging from a desire to highlight his privileged lifestyle to ambitions of crafting a new public identity, possibly beyond his previous role in government. As the documentary unfolds, it raises questions about the intersection of personal lives and public personas in contemporary media, especially in the context of a politician's attempt to connect with audiences after a significant electoral defeat.