Taking sides: the dividing lines of British politics

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Fantastic article from the "New Statesman", sums up politics as is?

Taking sides: the dividing lines of British politics

All parties love the easy, polarising rhetoric of “us” against “them” – but how distinct are their ideas?

By Rafael Behr, Published 31 January 2013

There is a reliable way to tell if David Cameron is rattled. When the Prime Minister is on shaky ground, he hurls the charge of being “left-wing” at Ed Miliband as if it were the foulest thing he could say within the bounds of parliamentary protocol. The “Red Ed” label has never been a plausible line of attack but it is a comforting fiction for senior Conservatives who deride the Labour leader’s agenda as a slide into unelectable socialism.

Take time out from tribalism and read the article!

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/politics/2013/01/taking-sides-dividing-lines-british-politics

There are obvious parallels with the discredited Major administration of 1992 to 1997, the "Sleaze Government".

MPs are ever bolder with expenses claims, and the question is when, rather than whether, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority becomes overwhelmed by the number of investigations running.

http://www.parliamentarystandards.org.uk/MPExpenses/Pages/default.aspx

oftenwrong wrote:There are obvious parallels with the discredited Major administration of 1992 to 1997, the "Sleaze Government".

MPs are ever bolder with expenses claims, and the question is when, rather than whether, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority becomes overwhelmed by the number of investigations running.

http://www.parliamentarystandards.org.uk/MPExpenses/Pages/default.aspx

I think if IPSA started now with investigating expenses claims starting with the Tory party it would be overwhelmed with work OW.:yeahthat: 

".... overwhelmed with work .... "

They are, Red Flag, they are. Watch that space, it may be the key to our Nation's future.

Do you know something we do not OW ? next week DC must decide whether or not MPs get the 11% pay rise or not, what do you think OW ?:yeahthat:

I could not now be surprised by anything David Cameron did, Redflag.

The only surprise might be if he acknowledged his own duplicity by resigning. (Don't hold your breath for that).

So I take it you expect him to give it the red light to their 11% increase in pay OW, I am sure there are plenty people who would stop his breath for him gladly.

As the election approaches, the following ‘celebrities’ are known to be supporting Labour:-

Melvyn Bragg, Stephen Fry, Antony Gormley, Eddie Izzard, Bianca Jagger, Anish Kapoor, Kathy Lette, David Morrissey, Grayson Perry, Fiona Phillips, J. K. Rowling, Patrick Stewart, Janet Street-Porter, Jimmy Wales and Kevin Whateley.

The Tories can boast the support of:-

Kirstie Allsopp, Gary Barlow, Cilla Black, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Botham, Jeremy Clarkson, Ronnie Corbett, Lizzie Cundy, Paul Daniels, Tracey Emin, William Roache, Peter Stringfellow and Carol Vorderman.

Do you know, I think I'm in good company there - mostly people I like and approve of

Lizzie Cundy. Is it me or is the D in her name a typo?

Ivan wrote:The Tories can boast the support of:-

Kirstie Allsopp, Gary Barlow, Cilla Black, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Botham, Jeremy Clarkson, Ronnie Corbett, Lizzie Cundy, Paul Daniels, Tracey Emin, William Roache, Peter Stringfellow and Carol Vorderman.

Do you happen to know Ivan how many of those celebrities that support the Tories  are evading or avoiding there rightful amount of tax, I know that Gary Barlow has been caught red handed.

In a nutshell?  


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CUsLKAiWEAEaBD1.png

Seems about right

There may be a narrow stripe in the centre of people who actually voted Tory, but have now found through bitter personal experience what a mistake they made and are suddenly a little less enthusiastic about their original choice.

But what colour to signify that? Yellow might be  suitable ...

PH I am glad to hear that those that let Davy boy pull the wool over there eyes are EFFING SUFFERING Hell Mend Them. I would not trust the Yellow mob either PH, after jumping into bed with the Tories the electorate took a high price off them which was DESERVED.

Spoke to an intelligent young woman today, claiming benefits for the first time in her life, and finding the experience horrific.

She 'hates' politics, having been brought up by socialists during the '80's - thought Winston Churchill established the Welfare State - has never heard of Clement Attlee.

She just naturally thought England is a caring place to live, where vulnerable people have protection and everyone is treated with civility by the Civil Service.

Somewhere along the line, basic History teaching has been forgotten

"Spoke to an intelligent young woman today, claiming benefits for the first time in her life, and finding the experience horrific.

She 'hates' politics, having been brought up by socialists during the '80's - thought Winston Churchill established the Welfare State - has never heard of Clement Attlee.
She just naturally thought England is a caring place to live, where vulnerable people have protection and everyone is treated with civility by the Civil Service.
Somewhere along the line, basic History teaching has been forgotten."

Or perhaps she wasn't as intelligent as you thought, boatlady. Which test did you administer?

No test - but she appeared rational and knowledgeable about banking, investments, was the founder and mainstay of a mother and toddler group in her local village, has a degree and was in a management role in a local bank until she had her children - I made an assumption

boatlady wrote:No test - but she appeared rational and knowledgeable about banking, investments, was the founder and mainstay of a mother and toddler group in her local village, has a degree and was in a management role in a local bank until she had her children - I made an assumption

I like her already!

The middle three lines in your post are TOSH marco, not unless you have been asleep for quite a few years or you would know that this Tory gov't has taken away every right the normal man/women in the UK has worked for over a number of years.

Even Tory voters have started to complain about the Tory DWP cuts, if his own are complaining just wait until April comes and the cuts in Universal credits are brought in, because there will be more families homeless & more people depending on food banks & before you get on your high horse its people in work that are suffering because the Tories will not make THERE living wage law for all employers to pay to there employees.

I like her already!

I did too - she was almost hysterical with distress at the way she had been treated at the local JC+

Yes, many people make the same assumption, boatlady, that a degree means intelligence. Our universities are not what they used to be. She seems terribly naïve to be of this world, poor soul.

Redflag wrote:The middle three lines in your post are TOSH marco, not unless you have been asleep for quite a few years or you would know that this Tory gov't has taken away every right the normal man/women in the UK has worked for over a number of years.

My post, Redflag, is a single line, so I assume you are taking issue with what boatlady has said. Nothing to do with me, this time.

Yes, many people make the same assumption, boatlady, that a degree means intelligence. Our universities are not what they used to be. She seems terribly naïve to be of this world, poor soul.

Sadly, we can't all share your bitter and ultimately sterile certainties - go well and prosper

"Sadly, we can't all share your bitter and ultimately sterile certainties"

I talk from experience of universities, boatlady. There are multitudes of thick students doing idiot subjects. I love your poetic description of "certainties" though - not many of our students could come up with that combination. Well done - and prosper too.

I talk from experience of universities, boatlady.

hadn't realised you were an academic - where did you do your degree(s)?

boatlady wrote:hadn't realised you were an academic - where did you do your degree(s)?

Well, there you go, boatlady. I have a picture of you as Maggie Smith in her recent van film. In the analysis of what I write my almae matres are of no consequence; nor indeed is my mother's maiden name.
But we are already rowing far from our theme, so best go back.............. diu vivas sisque beata!

Bluster beats brains.

Bluster beats brains...... does it? I think you're making it up. A sledgehammer is better.
You should be back to the topic.

oftenwrong wrote:Bluster beats brains.

Bluster is what the Tories use when they do not want the truth to come out about certain things, so this says LOADS about marco OW what do you think ??

And, in relation to the dividing lines of British politics?

Speaking personally, I stand somewhat far to the left of centre - and I would be happy to share my academic credentials - both in the university of life and in those other places - with anyone who wants to know

boatlady wrote:And, in relation to the dividing lines of British politics?

Speaking personally, I stand somewhat far to the left of centre - and I would be happy to share my academic credentials - both in the university of life and in those other places - with anyone who wants to know

Boatlady when you look at the shower of DUNDER HEADS some of these Univerities have inflicted on us ie Tory gov't I think that says a lot about our so called fine high fees Uni's

"Boatlady when you look at the shower of DUNDER HEADS some of these Univerities have inflicted on us ie Tory gov't I think that says a lot about our so called fine high fees Uni's "

You've almost taken the words right out of my mouth, Redflag.

Fish in a barrel, Marco. Innit?

But possibly a piranha if a toe were to be dipped in too far...

Fish in a barrel, Marco.  Innit?

You read too much fiction, oftenwrong. A wandering minstrel I!

"But possibly a piranha if a toe were to be dipped in too far"

Mixing metaphors, Phil. You should be working on your pluperfect subjunctives.

The Spaniards have a phrase, which they inherited like so much else from the Arabs, "El sabio no dice todo lo que piensa, pero siempre piensa todo lo que dice." The wise man does not speak about everything that he thinks, but he does think about everything he says.

" Mixing metaphors, Phil"

Yeah - you can't change the spots on an old dog...and, besides, a bird in the hand blows nobody any good...

oftenwrong wrote:"El sabio no dice todo lo que piensa, pero siempre piensa todo lo que dice"

Este sabio siempre piensa todo lo que dice, amigo, - sobre todo aqui.

Nos podemos volver al por favor tema ?

"Nos podemos volver al por favor tema?"
I've appealed a few times in English for a return to topic but maybe oftenwrong has still more avuncular advice for poor marco.