bridge too far

back

twenty two

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browns

cake (see what I did there?)

In 1965 you wouldn't get a degree in Economics and Economic history if you were a stupid person or a dolt.

I agree with you that he's not a good role model. There are a lot of politicians from all parties that are as guilty as he is. However, the thread was about backgrounds. I was simply pointing out the backgrounds of a few of those in the spotlight. It does annoy me, however, when people say some people are morons when they're patently not.

mo·ron (môrn, mr-) n. 1. A stupid person; a dolt. 2. Psychology A person of mild mental retardation having a mental age of from 7 to 12 years and generally having communication and social skills enabling some degree of academic or vocational education. The term belongs to a classification system no longer in use and is now considered offensive. Strictly speaking, he isn't. I expect he knows that your post should read 'too kind' instead of 'to kind'.

No I wasn't suggesting that. Ruskin College is the equivalent of an access course. A diploma from Ruskin enables adults to go on to University, as Prescott did.

It doesn't bother me either. I just wanted to give the Dune fella a run for his money. However, since we're discussing backgrounds: Alistair Darling's grandfather was a Conservative MP, for example. The Millibands' dad was an intellectual. Gordon's father, we know, was a Minister of religion. Andy Burnham's dad was a telephone engineer. Mandelson's father was an advertising manager for the Jewish Chronicle. Prescott's dad was a railway signalman and his grandfather a miner. After working in the Merchant Navy, Prescott went to Oxford and then Hull University. HTH

And have a look at Cameron's illustrious forebears: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cameron all stockbrokers / bankers!

I only studied it for a short while, after I'd finished my 'A' levels. In my day () we weren't allowed to clear off once exams were finished. I had a choice of binary maths or Russian. This was at what was the Grammar School for Girls in Hill Lane. It WAS an awful long time ago. You'll be way better at it than me. I really struggled with the cyrillic alphabet - tried to learn Greek once too with little success.

Well, if we're into visiting the sins of the father / brother / whatever, how about this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/georgeosborne/7250228/George-Osbornes-brother-prescribed-drugs-to-friends.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1233762/George-Osborne-brothers-Muslim-love-match-converts-Islam-marry-Bangladeshi-girl.html http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/59827,people,news,george-osborne-adam-brother-gave-drugs-to-addict-muslim-wife-noor Sorry to sink to your level.

Islington

Yep - the driving force behind me voting Labour Anyone see Eddie Izzard on the PP Broadcast tonight?

fury

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canterbury

promises

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liquid

The perception is different because we're a more informed society these days. Partly by scare-mongering sensationalist newspaper reporting but also because of tools such as the internet. For example, we learn far more about paedophilia these days. It probably is no different from how it used to be - we're just more aware nowadays. Especially when you consider that most child abuse is carried out by family members.

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