AND HERE WE GO - THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTION THREAD

[chrisd]

The difference is Tash, her son is now 28 and she’s no longer responsible for him.
boris has refused many times to discuss how many children he’s fathered(and I agree with him on this) but should we have a go as we need to know if his comments from 1995 about single mothers are fair?
Let’s be honest, any other Labour politician having this happen in their family it wouldn’t of made the headlines.
Families should be kept out of it unless the politician brings them in.

Paul, are you really saying that an MP and possible Home Secretary should only have the actions of her family bought to light if SHE herself chooses to? Also, that she supports a policy of abolishing public schooling having used it to educate her own family

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Paul, are you really saying that an MP and possible Home Secretary should only have the actions of her family bought to light if SHE herself chooses to? Also, that she supports a policy of abolishing public schooling having used it to educate her own family

Rip him to bits by all means, but bringing the fact she sent him to Public School is irrelevant.
Surely as a parent there becomes a point when the kid is responsible for their own actions.

Are you saying boris should be forced to say how many kids he’s fathered when he’s had a go at single mothers?

Maybe we should also remember he hasn’t been found guilty yet, if when he appears in Court and if he his found Guilty then absolutely lay in to him and her, until then I stand by the fact families should be kept out of politics unless they are used by the politician in a political situation.

 

[Grant85]

I disagree, increased population needs increasing public services that cannot be provided to serve the demand so we end up with over demand and a quality of life that is being sucked downward by ever diminishing returns. The argument that we need more young immigrants to provide for the elderly is also wrong. They are also responsible for much of the increase in childbirth and as such will be using state support, also they will grow old thus creating even more demand for additional services and even more immigrants to support them. When will our population be too big, 70/80/90/100 million or using your argument can we move people around and never have too many. I fail to understand how anyone cannot have concerns over population growth and the effects it will have on future generations, especially when we are trying to reduce the effects of pollution and global warming.
Footnote: I have not made any personal attacks on anyone in this post

Population growth is different from demographics.

UK population faces a specific challenge, namely the big spike in birth rate following WW2 and these 'baby boomers' all reaching retirement at the same time having been one of 4 or 5 children, and themsleves having about 2 children. This means we have a shortage of working age people, relative to non-working age people. Add to that medical and lifestyle advances and many in this generation will have retirements stretching into a 4th decade! Generally withdrawing far more, than they are paying in on a yearly basis. Not having a go or suggesting they aren't entitled, it's just a fact. And taking far far more out, on average, than someone having a child.

Immigration can, and does, help fill that gap. Many of these immigrants will come for a few years and return from where they came. Obviously many will stay and build a family.

Things that will help address the demographics in the long term.
* Consistent birth rate
* People working longer before retiring
* Immigration
* better investment in public services
* as I've said, encouragement of people / businesses to locate in other areas away from London / SE.

World Population Growth - potentially a big problem and in reality not going to be solved by immigration policy in the UK and there will generally be ongoing global pressure on food, resources, fuel, transport etc.

 

[Tashyboy]

Am sure if people want to Google MPs children's actions it will come up with multiple stories. But during an election of all times. Am not to sure. If her child was a child and not an adult you could brush this off as childish behaviour. But he has not done him, her, the Labour party any favours

 

[chrisd]

Rip him to bits by all means, but bringing the fact she sent him to Public School is irrelevant.
Surely as a parent there becomes a point when the kid is responsible for their own actions.

Are you saying boris should be forced to say how many kids he’s fathered when he’s had a go at single mothers?

Maybe we should also remember he hasn’t been found guilty yet, if when he appears in Court and if he his found Guilty then absolutely lay in to him and her, until then I stand by the fact families should be kept out of politics unless they are used by the politician in a political situation.

I haven't seen anyone say that she is responsible for his actions and no one has reported his guilt, save to say what he is alleged to have done and been charged with. The public school is clearly relevant as it's her policy to abolish them and, if I recall, has been for a long time, whilst sending her son to one - somewhat hypocritical I'd say. I'd have no truck with anyone disclosing how many children Boris has fathered, but forcing him to say is not acceptable - if anyone feels that is an issue for an election then they shouldn't vote for the party he represents

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

This morning on Today Sajid Javid told me that the only thing that will prevent the UK striking a comprehensive and deep, tariff-free, trade deal with the EU by the end of June will be a Labour / SNP government of chaos. Well - he convinces me.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I agree, there's only one reason why everyone is clamouring for him to do it is to even up the party leaders in the "looking stupid" competition and hopefully Boris will win the competition by looking least stupid by not going on his show given how much he has to lose by doing so. Although I detest Swinson I thought she handled AN much better this time

If Johnson had any political or moral backbone and conviction he'd be almost begging to be interviewed by AN to demonstrate how unprincipled and useless the other leaders are compared with him, and his clear and principled visions for the UK. That he currently won't simply exposes him to the accusation that he is indeed a charlatan, and someone who say whatever he thinks needs saying when in front of any specific audience as he laps up their adulation and applause...

Ye see yon birkie ca’d a lord,
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that,
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a coof for a’ that.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Am sure if people want to Google MPs children's actions it will come up with multiple stories. But during an election of all times. Am not to sure. If her child was a child and not an adult you could brush this off as childish behaviour. But he has not done him, her, the Labour party any favours

So no innocent until proven guilty then tash, surely it’s only alleged at the moment?
Does he not deserve a day in court?
What if he’s found not guilty?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I haven't seen anyone say that she is responsible for his actions and no one has reported his guilt, save to say what he is alleged to have done and been charged with. The public school is clearly relevant as it's her policy to abolish them and, if I recall, has been for a long time, whilst sending her son to one - somewhat hypocritical I'd say. I'd have no truck with anyone disclosing how many children Boris has fathered, but forcing him to say is not acceptable - if anyone feels that is an issue for an election then they shouldn't vote for the party he represents

The only reason the Public School has been mentioned is because he’s been charged.
By all means debate her stance on that, if that was the actual debate, but using her son as the weapon to start that debate is wrong.
If he hadn’t of been charged this discussion wouldn’t be happening.

Is she hypocritical over Public Schools? Damn right she is.

 

[patricks148]

see the conservative party have procured the services of the social media guru's who masterminded the shock win for the Aussie Libs.

unfortunately most of what they posted and put out was lies and half truths as if just Dom cummings wasn't enough

 

[Hacker Khan]

This morning on Today Sajid Javid told me that the only thing that will prevent the UK striking a comprehensive and deep, tariff-free, trade deal with the EU by the end of June will be a Labour / SNP government of chaos. Well - he convinces me.

He was on Radio 5 and I fully admit I am bringing a lot of preconceptions to this, but he just sounded way out of his depth and all he could do is repeat 'labour will crash the economy' over and over again. It was pitiful to me if this is the caliber of senior cabinet minsters we have in this brave new world we are forging for ourselves out of the EU. But then again I suppose all some voters want to hear is him say Labour will allegedly trash the economy and that's enough.

 

[harpo_72]

Is she hypocritical over Public Schools? Damn right she is.

But she has the experience of them to suggest they don't offer academic benefits but they give networking opportunities ...
Incidentally, what are Boris' academic qualifications ? Joe was the bright one in the family apparently.

 

[harpo_72]

He was on Radio 5 and I fully admit I am bringing a lot of preconceptions to this, but he just sounded way out of his depth and all he could do is repeat 'labour will crash the economy' over and over again. It was pitiful to me if this is the caliber of senior cabinet minsters we have in this brave new world we are forging for ourselves out of the EU. But then again I suppose all some voters want to hear is him say Labour will allegedly trash the economy and that's enough.

If you repeat something frequently it becomes fact and truth ... the weak human minds need this, as it's a form of radicalisation.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I haven't seen anyone say that she is responsible for his actions and no one has reported his guilt, save to say what he is alleged to have done and been charged with. The public school is clearly relevant as it's her policy to abolish them and, if I recall, has been for a long time, whilst sending her son to one - somewhat hypocritical I'd say. I'd have no truck with anyone disclosing how many children Boris has fathered, but forcing him to say is not acceptable - if anyone feels that is an issue for an election then they shouldn't vote for the party he represents

In their manifesto Labour state

'We will close the tax loopholes enjoyed by elite private schools and use that money to improve the lives of all children, and we will ask the Social Justice Commission to advise on integrating private schools and creating a comprehensive education system. '

So no mater what her alleged personal policy is Labour's policy is not at this stage to abolish them. They will ask for advice which I fully expect will come back saying the principle is OK but the practicalities of it are completely unrealistic under the current education system. So if anyone is voting for Labour as you think they will abolish public schools then don't, it's yet another manifesto statement that looks like one thing and they are fighting against the 'elite system' but in reality will not occur as they have a get out clause written in.

 

[MegaSteve]

The only reason the Public School has been mentioned is because he’s been charged.
By all means debate her stance on that, if that was the actual debate, but using her son as the weapon to start that debate is wrong.
If he hadn’t of been charged this discussion wouldn’t be happening.

Is she hypocritical over Public Schools? Damn right she is.

Just reinforces my view of those with a public school education... Totally clueless to the 'real world'... And, as a good a reason as any why anyone 'educated' in such a manner should be banned from holding political office...

 

[drdel]

The difference is Tash, her son is now 28 and she’s no longer responsible for him.
boris has refused many times to discuss how many children he’s fathered(and I agree with him on this) but should we have a go as we need to know if his comments from 1995 about single mothers are fair?
Let’s be honest, any other Labour politician having this happen in their family it wouldn’t of made the headlines.
Families should be kept out of it unless the politician brings them in.

Under normal circumstances I'd agree. However, just like the sacked Peterborough MP, DA chose to get/help him with work at the FO where he then supposedly got assy with a cop. If you want to claim she ain't responsible then she shouldn't be using her position to assist his prospects. her policy on public schools and her act of using them is clearly somewhat unprincipled!!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

see the conservative party have procured the services of the social media guru's who masterminded the shock win for the Aussie Libs.

unfortunately most of what they posted and put out was lies and half truths as if just Dom cummings wasn't enough

We were in Australia in the lead up to their Federal Election this year, and the viciousness and 'attack-dog' personal nature of the TV, newspaper and roadside billboard advertising was astonishing.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

If Johnson had any political or moral backbone and conviction he'd be almost begging to be interviewed by AN to demonstrate how unprincipled and useless the other leaders are compared with his clear and principled visions for the UK. That he currently won't simply exposes him to the accusation that he is indeed a charlatan, someone who say whatever he thinks needs saying when in front of any specific audience...

Ye see yon birkie ca’d a lord,
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that,
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a coof for a’ that.

You know, if you wanted to test your ability to resist temptation, the best thing would be for you to be one of a group discussing politics, glass of Chardonnay in hand.Each would be given a small task, under penalty of buying the wine.Yours would be to not comment adversely about Boris .
I reckon you would last less than two minutes, before going to your wallet!??

As for interview with AN. IIRC, comments have been made about his trait of interrupting the answer , to an annoying degree.
I don't know if that is the case as I haven't seen his interviews, but I have seen other interviewers with politicians, and it does seem to be an annoying trait, even from my position as a viewer.
If I were subject of this kind of rudeness, it wouldn't be long before I'd say words to the effect " If you don't keep quiet when I am answering your question, I shall terminate this interview. This is not about you, it is about the public learning what my answers are to your questions. Stop being rude"

I suspect so called experts are advising politicians to not respond in any manner which may be thought aggressive , but to remain polite etc. It seems to me that by doing so, they come over as inept and indecisive, and so they get slated for that. Can't win, can they??

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Under normal circumstances I'd agree. However, just like the sacked Peterborough MP, DA chose to get/help him with work at the FO where he then supposedly got assy with a cop. If you want to claim she ain't responsible then she shouldn't be using her position to assist his prospects. her policy on public schools and her act of using them is clearly somewhat unprincipled!!

I know he did work for the FO at one time, the media have stated he was there visiting a friend, are you saying because she may or not have helped him to get a previous job all friends and contacts from his previous employment can be used against her for the rest of her life?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Can anyone show me where Diane Abbott has called for the abolition of independent schools.

The tax breaks and charitable status they enjoy are being questioned but that is a different matter.

The policy on schools has been misinterpreted for many years. Wanting to improve standards within the State system relied upon by the vast majority is not asking for private schools to be scrapped.

I may disagree with the Labour Party on how the State schools can be improved but seeking an improvement where those schools offer similarly high standards as many in the independent sector is, to me, an admirable objective.