The UK Politics and EU Referendum thread - merged

[david3103]

OK, potentially risky question of the day here from me. But interested to hear what people think.

Is it OK for politicians and public figures to choose to not wear a poppy?

It obviously should be ok, but it isn't, particularly for politicians. I think we're kinda stuck with poppy fascism until the last veteran of WW2 dies - that would be an ideal time to let it drop.

Pretty sure that wearing a poppy should be a purely personal choice and I wouldn't think any less of someone who makes the choice not to.
However, if Jeremy chooses not to he will be vilified by the press from all ends of the political spectrum.
Not sure what relevance the last WW2 veteran has to this, the Poppy originates from WW1 and our armed forces are still getting killed in defence of our right to make choices like this.

[DaveShoelace]

Has Corbyn indicated he wont wear one?

I can't stand the outrage mob of the press twisting everything he does, but I would agree with them on this if that's what happens. Frankly I don't trust people who can't compromise and be a little bit pragmatic.

I'm as anti-war as it gets, but I think most people in this country see the poppy as I do. Not in any way a celebration of British triumph in war, but a way of honouring the regular folk who died to protect us. I don't think we should have gone to war in Iraq, but I respect the hell out of anyone who has served that for this country.

[AndrewT]

Not sure what relevance the last WW2 veteran has to this, the Poppy originates from WW1 and our armed forces are still getting killed in defence of our right to make choices like this.

Because those two wars are fundamentally different from those fought since - widespread conscription, people dying in their millions. If people want to give to the Legion/wear a poppy - fine, but the expectation that those in public life must wear one or they're worse than Hitler should slide - it would be like the World AIDS Day ribbon.

[AlunB]

OK, potentially risky question of the day here from me. But interested to hear what people think.

Is it OK for politicians and public figures to choose to not wear a poppy?

It obviously should be ok, but it isn't, particularly for politicians. I think we're kinda stuck with poppy fascism until the last veteran of WW2 dies - that would be an ideal time to let it drop.

Pretty sure that wearing a poppy should be a purely personal choice and I wouldn't think any less of someone who makes the choice not to.
However, if Jeremy chooses not to he will be vilified by the press from all ends of the political spectrum.
Not sure what relevance the last WW2 veteran has to this, the Poppy originates from WW1 and our armed forces are still getting killed in defence of our right to make choices like this.

I think it's the politicising of this kind of thing that makes people uncomfortable. Absolutely not saying you are doing that, but it can be used by the more hawkish members of the political world.

As Barry says I see it as a mark of respect for not just the soldiers, sailors and airmen but the families too. I don't think we should look past that really. But yes as everyone else has said it really should be a matter of choice.

Apropos of nothing, my granddad who was in the navy during WW2 never wore won as he couldn't stand the British Legion.

[Woodsey]

Anything to stomp on Corbyn is fair game to me 

Actually, I need to rethink that, we need to keep him there so the Tories get a free run at the next election 

[ripple11]

Has Corbyn indicated he wont wear one?

I can't stand the outrage mob of the press twisting everything he does, but I would agree with them on this if that's what happens. Frankly I don't trust people who can't compromise and be a little bit pragmatic.

I'm as anti-war as it gets, but I think most people in this country see the poppy as I do. Not in any way a celebration of British triumph in war, but a way of honouring the regular folk who died to protect us. I don't think we should have gone to war in Iraq, but I respect the hell out of anyone who has served that for this country.

Jezza was wearing one at PMQ's last week

[david3103]

Has Corbyn indicated he wont wear one?

I can't stand the outrage mob of the press twisting everything he does, but I would agree with them on this if that's what happens. Frankly I don't trust people who can't compromise and be a little bit pragmatic.

I'm as anti-war as it gets, but I think most people in this country see the poppy as I do. Not in any way a celebration of British triumph in war, but a way of honouring the regular folk who died to protect us. I don't think we should have gone to war in Iraq, but I respect the hell out of anyone who has served that for this country.

Jezza was wearing one at PMQ's last week

I just chose Corbyn as an example of what might happen. I have no reason to think he would choose not to wear a poppy.

[david3103]

OK, potentially risky question of the day here from me. But interested to hear what people think.

Is it OK for politicians and public figures to choose to not wear a poppy?

It obviously should be ok, but it isn't, particularly for politicians. I think we're kinda stuck with poppy fascism until the last veteran of WW2 dies - that would be an ideal time to let it drop.

Pretty sure that wearing a poppy should be a purely personal choice and I wouldn't think any less of someone who makes the choice not to.
However, if Jeremy chooses not to he will be vilified by the press from all ends of the political spectrum.
Not sure what relevance the last WW2 veteran has to this, the Poppy originates from WW1 and our armed forces are still getting killed in defence of our right to make choices like this.

I think it's the politicising of this kind of thing that makes people uncomfortable. Absolutely not saying you are doing that, but it can be used by the more hawkish members of the political world.

As Barry says I see it as a mark of respect for not just the soldiers, sailors and airmen but the families too. I don't think we should look past that really. But yes as everyone else has said it really should be a matter of choice.

Apropos of nothing, my granddad who was in the navy during WW2 never wore won as he couldn't stand the British Legion.

This really shouldn't be in any way a political issue, but I hear Alex Salmond has taken to wearing a Saltair badge with a poppy in the centre...

[DaveShoelace]

Ok my Q of the Day

Do you think British people are lazy?

Obviously there are outliers on both ends, no need to point that out. Nor am I asking this from a class perspective either, I'm literally asking about everyone on the socio economic scale.

Generally speaking, do you think we could all work harder than we do? Are you more surprised when you see someone working really hard, or when you see someone slacking off?

[arbboy]

British people need to work smarter not 'harder'/longer imo.  We already do incredible volume of hours at work compared to other countries.

[Woodsey]

Mixed bag I reckon, the people that annoy me the most are the ones who moan about their life but then do fuck all to try and change it....

[Marky147]

I think the papers would have you believe we are.

Agree with Woodsey in the main, but I do love a moan up now and again 

[rfgqqabc]

Slightly under average on the lazy-ometer. A bit scared of success perhaps l.

[DaveShoelace]

Slightly under average on the lazy-ometer. A bit scared of success perhaps l.

Had not considered this but certainly fits my image of your average Brit.

[TightEnd]

Today's question (giving Barry a rest)

do we really become more conservative (with a small c, or a big C, your choice when you answer) with age?