35 replies to this topic

[fieldofclothofgold]

[quote name='Mumby Magic' post='2152731' date='Nov 5 2010, 01:38 PM']A thank god view came over me when that the faces of the old school brigade at the Houses of Parliament might be changing. With Yvette Cooper now favourite to be next labour Leader in the future and 29 year old Chuck Umunna third Favourite maybe those MP's of yesterday might fall on their swords somewhat.

However Boris Johnson is second favourite, YES second favourite to be PM, YES PM!!!



Chuck Umunna



Yvette Cooper[/quote

Edited by fieldofclothofgold, 06 November 2010 - 08:47 AM.

[Severus]

it depends, are all his constituents octogenarians?

Probably not, but someone in their 50s knows what it is
like for someone in their 20s, the same cannot be said for the converse.

[sam]

Probably not, but someone in their 50s knows what it is
like for someone in their 20s, the same cannot be said for the converse.

do they? they remember what they were doing when they were in their 20's, but i bet it's different to what those in their 20's are doing today, apart from getting p!ssed on a weekend and paying bills.

also, someone in their 50's doesn't know what it's like for someone in their 80's, so how can he/she serve his older constituents well?

[bowes]

Probably not, but someone in their 50s knows what it is
like for someone in their 20s, the same cannot be said for the converse.

They don't they only think they know. The 70s were a very different time to be young than now

[Severus]

Fair points. I just don't like the idea of career politicians being fast tracked up the ranks without 'paying their dues'.

[sam]

Fair points. I just don't like the idea of career politicians being fast tracked up the ranks without 'paying their dues'.

which is fair enough, but ultimately people don't have to vote for these young whippersnappers, and, let's be honest people vote for people for far worse reasons than simply being younger than you!

[WearyRhino]

Fair points. I just don't like the idea of career politicians being fast tracked up the ranks without 'paying their dues'.

There's the rub you see. Democracy ensures that those with the most votes get the job, not those most able to do the job. Not that I agree in any way with your assessment of what qualifies you to do the job. I think I've said this before - what's wrong with career politicians? Do you want amateurs doing the job? We don't accuse people of being career doctors or career nuclear physicists.

[Trojan]

But he'll never be Prime Minister, or even leader of the Labour Party, because, from the photograph of him shown on this thread, he looks suspiciously as though he could be going bald.

The last bald man to be PM was Douglas Home, he wasn't elected and lost the subsequent election to the fairly hairy Harold Wilson (who defeated the even hairier George Brown for the Labour leadership.) Neil Kinnock had some hair when he won the Labour leadership, but lost it rapidly (what a surprise given the state of Labour at the time) and lost two elections. IDS didn't even get to fight an election. Michael Howard wasn't exactly overblessed with hair and he lost. Blair's hair appeared to be waving bye-bye but he quit before he could lose.

In the pre TV days Churchill and Atlee could both be described as bald. Churchill as PM never actually won an election in terms of votes cast for his party. But Atlee as PM (under the same terms) won three.
I'm an enormous admirer of Atlee, a great PM but lacking a little in media charisma. The master of the terse put-down (a period of silence from you would be very welcome ) but I bet he wouldn't get to be leader today, let alone win an election.

[Severus]

There's the rub you see. Democracy ensures that those with the most votes get the job, not those most able to do the job. Not that I agree in any way with your assessment of what qualifies you to do the job. I think I've said this before - what's wrong with career politicians? Do you want amateurs doing the job? We don't accuse people of being career doctors or career nuclear physicists.

Be the definition, it is impossible for an MP to be an amateur. My gripe is the we need people from different walks of life with different skills and plenty if life experience making important decisions. E.g. a science minister with some science education. Of course democracy cannot gaurante a suitable person gets the gig, but it worries me when people just want to be in power from an early age.

[sam]

Be the definition, it is impossible for an MP to be an amateur. My gripe is the we need people from different walks of life with different skills and plenty if life experience making important decisions. E.g. a science minister with some science education. Of course democracy cannot gaurante a suitable person gets the gig, but it worries me when people just want to be in power from an early age.

then ###### or get off the pot.

[Severus]

then ###### or get off the pot.

Er WTF?

[sam]

Er WTF?

do something!

you're a teacher, an ideal candidate for parliament, stand for election.

Edited by sam, 06 November 2010 - 01:10 PM.

[Severus]

do something!

you're a teacher, an ideal candidate for parliament, stand for election.

Lecturer actually. I'm 32, do not have any children and don't really have a great deal of life experience. Also academics don't tend to go into politics. I would be just the sort of person who I dint think should be involved in politics.

[sam]

Lecturer actually. I'm 32, do not have any children and don't really have a great deal of life experience. Also academics don't tend to go into politics. I would be just the sort of person who I dint think should be involved in politics.

what has whether you've any kids or not got to do with anything? no life experience? you've studied hard, pay taxes and now hopefully educate people to a high standard, the fact you've not scaled k2 or swam with dolphins doesn't mean a jot.

why don't academics go into politics? is it beneath you all or something?

and the shower who are in it already are the sort of people? would you claim for a bog seat on expenses? a moat cleaning?

[Trojan]

Be the definition, it is impossible for an MP to be an amateur. My gripe is the we need people from different walks of life with different skills and plenty if life experience making important decisions. E.g. a science minister with some science education. Of course democracy cannot gaurante a suitable person gets the gig, but it worries me when people just want to be in power from an early age.

There's something in what you say, however, as I posted before, perhaps there would be a role for people like you in a reconstituted House of Lords. Nominated by an independent committee - like Magistrates are - they could bring their experience in various fields to bear upon legislation and perhaps correct some of the howlers made by the Commons. The dangerous dogs act comes to mind.

[Mumby Magic]

Don't really understand your arguement Severus. It's not ok for someone of a "young" age to be an MP as they haven't collated enough lifeskills and experience but what about people voting at 18? Have they collated enough knowledge to know why, who,what they are voting for?

Edited by Mumby Magic, 06 November 2010 - 05:09 PM.