figurehead

One could argue, in fact, that the public obsession with charismatic political figureheads — whether in France or America or anywhere else — is itself the problem, or at least a big part of it.

The protesters, spurred on by a figurehead pro-Western president and four opposition groups, say the government is illegitimate; the opposition won’t enter parliament because of the “falsified elections”.

John Prescott, who has died aged 86, was a figurehead of New Labour, who was also instinctively sceptical of some of its instincts.

He described the connections between bluegrass figurehead Bill Monroe and celebrated American songwriter John Prine.

Less than a year on he has replaced Marler in England's senior squad and is the figurehead for a new generation of England front-rowers.