Former Pensions Minister Ros Altmann has said being a politician was a “terrible experience” as she was “squished and squashed in every direction”.

Looking back on her 14 months as pensions minister in David Cameron’s government, Altmann told The Jewish Chronicle: “It has been the most terrible experience for me. I have felt under pressure the whole time; you have been squished and squashed in every direction and you just want to explode sometimes. It affected my health without question. It’s a very uncomfortable experience.”

While the former minister had significant aspirations in the role, she noted that her involvement in politics was “quite alien” and not something she wanted to be a part of.

“I have never been a politician and quite frankly, I just don’t want to be a politician.”

As a minister, Altmann became increasingly frustrated with the high levels of control enforced upon her both when it came to “good policy making”, as stated in her resignation letter, and interaction with the press. Previously used to discussing policy issues with the media in former roles, as pensions minister she was warned, “if any journalist phones you, then they are always out to trick you and trap you”.

Altmann further criticised this approach and explained her frustration with the inability to be transparent with the press. She stated that she found it “difficult not being able to explain policy to the media[…]in an open and honest way”.
When the former minister did “break the rules” and speak freely to journalists, she compared the consequences as “like being in the naughty corner or detention”.

Though she no longer holds such an influential role, Altmann confirmed: “I am not going anywhere. I am still in the Lords and I am still offering to help. I can help as long as legislation goes through, to try and move it in a better direction.”

With the determination to focus on important matters that she was formerly unable to effect from the inside, Altmann looks to continue her pensions involvement from the outside and optimistically added: “At least I can say what I think and am not being silenced in government”.

“I can do more good from the outside because I won’t be silenced anymore”.

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