Gordon Brown.....

[Bongo]

I imagine Eton gives a decent education, which is surely a positive when it comes to running the country.

[thetank]

You really need to be able to tie a dickie bow if you're going to be negotiating with fellow heads of state after dinner.

Wearing one of those elasticated jobbies, you'll be found out.

[Woodsey]

^^^ Meh, the fact that I and others went to public school means you plebs had less crowded class sizes and probably a better start in life

[George2Loose]

^^^ Meh, the fact that I and others went to public school means you plebs had less crowded class sizes and probably a better start in life

So that's why you walk funny

[Woodsey]

^^^ Meh, the fact that I and others went to public school means you plebs had less crowded class sizes and probably a better start in life

So that's why you walk funny

Its not as bad as you would think tbh

[Maxriddles]

People seem to be looking at this latest gaffe too literally because for me it's a metaphor for Labour's blinding contempt for the public in general. Labour have this social ideology about how things should be and if people don't fit into their picture there is something wrong with those people. But this is arse about face because the government should be there to represent the views of the public not to dictate to the public. It matters not that he called an old woman a bigot, it matters that he just dismissed the very reasonable views of a pro labour member of joe public without a seconds consideration of those views. Typical labour imo.

 

[henrik777]

the government should be there to represent the views of the public not to dictate to the public.

 

Political parties are not there to take on your views. Parties have a manifesto which explains their views and plans and people vote for the one which closely resembles their own view (in theory).

Sandy

[kinboshi]

People seem to be looking at this latest gaffe too literally because for me it's a metaphor for Labour's blinding contempt for the public in general. Labour have this social ideology about how things should be and if people don't fit into their picture there is something wrong with those people. But this is arse about face because the government should be there to represent the views of the public not to dictate to the public. It matters not that he called an old woman a bigot, it matters that he just dismissed the very reasonable views of a pro labour member of joe public without a seconds consideration of those views. Typical labour imo.

When you say Labour, do you mean Gordon Brown, the current front-bench, the current Labour MPs, the Labour party membership, the people who voted Labour, the people who have previously voted Labour, the people who usually vote Labour, or something else?

Just wondered who you're slagging off here.

[kinboshi]

  - is this the kind of guy that should be running the country?

Probably not however is this:

great post eck!

In what way?

What exactly is your point?

Pretty much what Dan said didn't really think you would need that explained to you Jon.

So being able to relate to the majority of the electorate is what makes a good Prime Minister?

You don't think any understanding about international relations, economics, history or diplomacy might be more relevant?

Wouldn't both be a good thing?

[Bongo]

Do any of them really relate to the electorate?

Clegg is the son of a banker and went to a £30k a year school.
Cameron went to Eton.
Brown is... Brown.

I'd much prefer more competence anyway.

[kinboshi]

Do any of them really relate to the electorate?

Clegg is the son of a banker and went to a £30k a year school.
Cameron went to Eton.
Brown is... Brown.

I'd much prefer more competence anyway.

I'd prefer both.

Going to Eton or being the son of a rich banker doesn't preclude you from being able to relate to the electorate.  Being Gordon Brown might though...

[Jon MW]

Do any of them really relate to the electorate?

Clegg is the son of a banker and went to a £30k a year school.
Cameron went to Eton.
Brown is... Brown.

I'd much prefer more competence anyway.

I'd prefer both.

Going to Eton or being the son of a rich banker doesn't preclude you from being able to relate to the electorate.  Being Gordon Brown might though...

Both would be good, but it's Prime Minister - not President so it's far from essential.

The ministers in charge of health and social security should be able to relate to the electorate
And it would probably help if the ministers in charge of law and the treasury did
But I'd say it's a fairly minor bonus for the Prime Minister to be able to

Almost every Prime Minister either went to an elite private school, went to an elite university, were members of the aristocracy - or a combination of all 3.

So however important or unimportant it is, there are only a handful of leaders who have had it on their side - which I'd suggest further calls into question how relevant and important it is.

[Woodsey]

Do any of them really relate to the electorate?

Clegg is the son of a banker and went to a £30k a year school.
Cameron went to Eton.
Brown is... Brown.

I'd much prefer more competence anyway.

I'd prefer both.

Going to Eton or being the son of a rich banker doesn't preclude you from being able to relate to the electorate.  Being Gordon Brown might though...

All this did they/didn't they go to public school is a load of bollox and irrelevant anyway. Me and half my mates went to public school and none of us are any different to anyone on here. This perception that we are all spoon fed, posh twat's, that have never worked a day in our lives is just LOL..............

[Jon MW]

... This perception that we are all spoon fed, posh twat's, that have never worked a day in our lives is just LOL..............

This was why I started questioning it to start with, I just automatically rebel against people making assumptions based on stereotype - whatever the assumption and whatever the stereotype

[Geo the Sarge]

... This perception that we are all spoon fed, posh twat's, that have never worked a day in our lives is just LOL..............

This was why I started questioning it to start with, I just automatically rebel against people making assumptions based on stereotype - whatever the assumption and whatever the stereotype

But you're happy to say that someone who makes an off the cuff remark, is incapable of doing their job?

GG Jon

Geo