dune Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 (edited) Oh dear. So now the Socialists have a geek as leader and a bulbous eyed smirking Nick Griffin look-a-like as his number two. Alan johnson was utterly out of his depth in the job, but was likeable, so i'm absolutely loving the fact he has been replaced by one of the most unlikeable Socialists of the lot. I bet David Cameron and the Conservative party are as delighted as I am. Edited 21 January, 2011 by dune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Oh dear. So now the Socialists have a geek as leader and a bulbous eyed smirking Nick Griffin look-a-like as his number two. Alan johnson was utterly out of his depth in the job, but was likeable, so i'm absolutely loving the fact he has been replaced by one of the most unlikeable Socialists of the lot. I bet David Cameron and the Conservative party are as delighted as I am. I must say I mostly agree with you on this one. It is quite literally a balls up. The pair of them are Brown mark 2, and they don't even agree between themselves on how to deal with the deficit. A piece of good news for the coalition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 He's the best of a bad bunch tbh, can you think of anyone else who is more qualified in Labour to be shadow chancellor? They should have tried to tempt Vince Cable back, he would be an excellent SC. Besides, if it was between Balls and Boy George, it's a simple choice for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Every morning when I turn on the BBC Breakfast news, I listen to the headlines and try to guess which ones will be used as the basis of yet another thread of Dunce's tedious, childish, political jibes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaford Saint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Oh dear. So now the Socialists have a geek as leader and a bulbous eyed smirking Nick Griffin look-a-like as his number two. Alan johnson was utterly out of his depth in the job, but was likeable, so i'm absolutely loving the fact he has been replaced by one of the most unlikeable Socialists of the lot. I bet David Cameron and the Conservative party are as delighted as I am. I have a lot of respect for you Dune but upon occasion you come across like a complete tosspot. The Tories feared Alan Johnson as leader. Why? Its because he had lived in the real world, on a council estate and he had substance - how else could he like Prescott like him or loath him have got from where he was to where he is now without someting? ...Why did the labout leadership contest have 3 of the 4 candidates who were ex Oxbride, same for the tories....your assertion that Milliband is a socialist is astonishing!! Most of the Tory front bench got where they are today not with any substance or conviction but supported by daddy's money (Cameron's dady was a banker which should give you a clue about any changes to bankers behaviour) The parties are much the same. The best analysis of youth and poverty has come IDS a "tory" - that can't be surely. Its true though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano6 Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 The "real world" is down on a council estate then is it? I've always wondered where it was meant to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaford Saint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 The "real world" is down on a council estate then is it? I've always wondered where it was meant to be. OK I could have phrased it differently but the gist of my argument is this...politics is dominated by a very narrow demographic, the views both parties have is similar. Career politicians rule. I was making the point the Johnson and Prescott made their way from humble origins. You can't do that without drive and conviction. The career ploiticans appear to do it using money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 The Tories feared Alan Johnson as leader. Why? Its because he had lived in the real world, on a council estate and he had substance - how else could he like Prescott like him or loath him have got from where he was to where he is now without someting? ...Why did the labout leadership contest have 3 of the 4 candidates who were ex Oxbride, same for the tories....your assertion that Milliband is a socialist is astonishing!! Most of the Tory front bench got where they are today not with any substance or conviction but supported by daddy's money (Cameron's dady was a banker which should give you a clue about any changes to bankers behaviour) The parties are much the same. The best analysis of youth and poverty has come IDS a "tory" - that can't be surely. Its true though. The "real world" is down on a council estate then is it? I've always wondered where it was meant to be. Its the real world for a sizeable proportion of the population, and they are the ones poorly represented by the current crop of MPs in general and ministers in particular. MPs should be representative of the population as a whole, not a small self perpetuating clique. 2020 is right, Alan Johnson had a lot of ability and was a rare animal in politics today. Its a shame he has gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Good appointment. Ed Balls is right. As unpopular as his message is now, cutting too fast will damage the economy massively. We only think otherwise because we have been convinced by voodoo economics that countries are like households when it comes to debt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 21 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Every morning when I turn on the BBC Breakfast news, I listen to the headlines and try to guess which ones will be used as the basis of yet another thread of Dunce's tedious, childish, political jibes. Meoooooooooow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Johnson may be "normal" but he was out of his depth in his brief. Balls knows the ins and outs of ecomonics and does present a coherent argument .My opinion is that he's wrong,but it's still a thought through coherent position. Balls will be a formidable Opponent who can hurt the Tories. That said, all polls show him to be deeply unpopular with the wider public, is right in the middle of all Browns failiures (if the public rejected Brown, why would they embrace his right hand man) and suffers by not being Millibands first choice. Personally weighing up the pros and cons I feel that this is better for the coalition as they can keep banging on about the past. The top of the Labour party will now have the 2 people who advised Gordon Brown, and were close to him. Personally I think he should have given the role to Balls' Mrs. She ticks the "normal" box, but is also a break from the ecomonic past, as she's not as closely assoicated with Brown. At the end of the day the economy is going to decide the next election, if it's on its way to recovery then the Tories or the Con/Dems will get in. If we're still in the mire then Labour will romp home,and that would be the case even if Dianne Abbot was GO's shadow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 He will be more than a match for Slimy George across the floor of the House though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaford Saint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Alan Johnson from the daily "His own remarkable journey to Westminster perhaps explained his man of the people credentials – in stark contrast to his despatch box rival George Osborne, the millionaire son of a baronet, educated at public school and Oxford. Johnson was orphaned at 12 and brought up in a condemned slum in London’s Notting Hill slum by his elder sister. Three years after their father had walked out, their mother died of a heart attack. He faced going into a Barnardo’s home but his sister persuaded child welfare office rs to let them have a council maisonette – even though she was just 15. When she moved away two years later to marry her childhood sweetheart, he again faced being put in an orphanage – until a London Underground engineer and his wife took him in. Johnson passed his 11-plus, got into grammar school and played guitar in a band called Hard Life. Leaving school at 15, he got a job as a shelf-stacker at Tesco before becoming a postman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 He will be more than a match for Slimy George across the floor of the House though. Balls has the ability to cause damage, the issue is who he causes the most to - the coalition or his own party. Economically he is the son of Brown, and him and Miliband have long since been in disagreement about moving the party away from "New Labour" ie Tory Cameron is going to pounce on it like a rat up a drainpipe and Miliband has already looked lightweight even with one of the more respected Labour politicians beside him. The Tories are already the more trusted party to deal with the deficit (from the polls I've seen) and think this appointment will only reinforce that trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 As an aside anyone see Clarke Carlisle on QT last night? I saw bits of him and from what I saw of him he spoke a lot of sense. Problem was 95% of what I saw of the programme Alastair Campbell was either talking or talking over someone else when they were trying to put their viewpoint across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 "His own remarkable journey to Westminster perhaps explained his man of the people credentials – in stark contrast to his despatch box rival George Osborne, the millionaire son of a baronet, educated at public school and Oxford. . Also in stark contrast to Ed Balls and Ed Milliband. David Davis was brought up by a single mother in a Wandsworth "slum", John Gaunt was put in a care home. The Labour movement doesn't have a monopoly on working class high flyers, just as the Torys aren't the only party that is filled with rich private educated toffs. Balls went to a Private all boys school, Havard and Oxford, and is obviously more qualified than Johnson to hold this position.The Labour movement seem obsessed by where people came from, rather than where they are going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mao Cap Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Johnson's a sound guy, but it should have been obvious that his economic knowledge was sadly lacking and this would be shown up in parliamentary debates, interviews etc. Balls skewered the current self-defeating 30s-style policies very effectively some months ago - I reckon he should have been made shadow Chancellor right from the start, so pleased about that. The personality of anyone but the party leaders is pretty peripheral to anyone bar politicos who know which way they're voting anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 21 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Balls and Brown raided company pension schemes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 The personality of anyone but the party leaders is pretty peripheral to anyone bar politicos who know which way they're voting anyway. Im not sure thats true. Being likeable, or at least 'normal' is an important part of a politicians appeal. As long as the ability and competence is there, Id much rather have a Ken Clarke, David Davis, Allan Johnson or Paddy Ashdown than a John Redwood or Ed Balls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 21 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 21 January, 2011 The personality of anyone but the party leaders is pretty peripheral to anyone bar politicos who know which way they're voting anyway. Which is why Brown wasn't such an issue under Blair. Tony Blair had public appeal. The sad truth for Labour now is that they've got an annoying Nottinghill style geek with a lisp as leader, and smug obnoxious slimeball as his number two. From a Conservative point of view it's a dream ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 I'm sure the lefties love of all people from "normal backgrounds" doesn't extend to Mrs Thatcher, a grocers daughter from a Liberal voting family.Who was brought up in the flat above the shop. Surely it should be about your views and beliefs, not where you come from. Ken Clarke maybe a "man of the people" but he's been wrong on most major issues. From the ERM, to prison reform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintandy666 Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 (edited) Which is why Brown wasn't such an issue under Blair. Tony Blair had public appeal. The sad truth for Labour now is that they've got an annoying Nottinghill style geek with a lisp as leader, and smug obnoxious slimeball as his number two. From a Conservative point of view it's a dream ticket. Sounds a lot like David Cameron and George Osbourne minus the lisp... if I am totally honest! Ed Balls will rip George Osborne to shreds in the commons, he is a formidable opponent, he killed Michael Gove in parliament while he was shadow education. He knows the economy's ins and outs well, this is good news for Labour. Edited 21 January, 2011 by Saintandy666 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaford Saint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Also in stark contrast to Ed Balls and Ed Milliband. David Davis was brought up by a single mother in a Wandsworth "slum", John Gaunt was put in a care home. The Labour movement doesn't have a monopoly on working class high flyers, just as the Torys aren't the only party that is filled with rich private educated toffs. Balls went to a Private all boys school, Havard and Oxford, and is obviously more qualified than Johnson to hold this position.The Labour movement seem obsessed by where people came from, rather than where they are going. I don't see much difference between the parties....that's my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 I'm sure the lefties love of all people from "normal backgrounds" doesn't extend to Mrs Thatcher, a grocers daughter from a Liberal voting family.Who was brought up in the flat above the shop. Surely it should be about your views and beliefs, not where you come from. Ken Clarke maybe a "man of the people" but he's been wrong on most major issues. From the ERM, to prison reform. Ken Clarke was arguably the best post war Chancellor. He was also an excellent health minister, showing a real depth of understanding of his brief. No-one has said that the product of Eton and Westminster school shouldnt be MPs, but to have half the cabinet made up from such a small incestuous group is unhealthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperm_john Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Are labour trying to compile the worst possible government known to man? There is no way in hell they will get back in power with Ed and Ed ...and if they do, i'm moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 If Clarke had got his way, I'd be buying my Friday night pint in Euros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mao Cap Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Im not sure thats true. Being likeable, or at least 'normal' is an important part of a politicians appeal. As long as the ability and competence is there, Id much rather have a Ken Clarke, David Davis, Allan Johnson or Paddy Ashdown than a John Redwood or Ed Balls. True, but you can only pish with the c*ck you've got I suppose. Also, regardless of his own flawed personality (actually he's never seemed all that bad to me anyway) he's much less obnoxious than Osborne. Jesus, that man looks like the evil landowning squire in some crap Regency period drama...the lack of a chin, that slobbering duck's arse of a mouth, those piggy little eyes glinting with sadism...I imagine the only people he doesn't give the creeps to are his own kind and spazzy fash types like dune with a masochistic urge to prostrate themselves before such figures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Are labour trying to compile the worst possible government known to man? There is no way in hell they will get back in power with Ed and Ed ...and if they do, i'm moving. Two 'Ed's are better than one. I'll get me coat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorpe-le-Saint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Every morning when I turn on the BBC Breakfast news, I listen to the headlines and try to guess which ones will be used as the basis of yet another thread of Dunce's tedious, childish, political jibes. This. I think we need to get a life more than that freak show does! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Are labour trying to compile the worst possible government known to man? There is no way in hell they will get back in power with Ed and Ed ...and if they do, i'm moving. Don't let the door hit your @rse on the way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorpe-le-Saint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Which is why Brown wasn't such an issue under Blair. Tony Blair had public appeal. The sad truth for Labour now is that they've got an annoying Nottinghill style geek with a lisp as leader, and smug obnoxious slimeball as his number two. From a Conservative point of view it's a dream ticket. I still don't know what his lisp has got to do with anything of relevance...care to venture a guess? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 True, but you can only pish with the c*ck you've got I suppose. Also, regardless of his own flawed personality (actually he's never seemed all that bad to me anyway) he's much less obnoxious than Osborne. Jesus, that man looks like the evil landowning squire in some crap Regency period drama...the lack of a chin, that slobbering duck's arse of a mouth, those piggy little eyes glinting with sadism...I imagine the only people he doesn't give the creeps to are his own kind and spazzy fash types like dune with a masochistic urge to prostrate themselves before such figures. Behind Osborne's reptilian, patrician features, and Cameron's emollient manner lies a two-man team hell-bent on out-Thatchering Thatcher. Thatcher Mark 1 almost imploded on its first outing, and needed a war to rescue her after she and Howe ladled on the indirect tax burden so heavily that a 'tax-cutting' Tory junta actually increased the tax burden on all but the wealthy - to levels far higher than Labour, until 1979, would have dared. After Blair's murderous misadventures, I doubt that Cameron will be able to pick a fight with some minor dictator in order to boost his poll ratings when it all goes the way of the pear by about this time next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Miliband's adopting the maxim of "keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer." It will be interesting to see if Balls's own political ambition will lead to a re-run of the Blair-Brown relationship of early New Labour. And with Balls having his missus on the inside, Mr Bean better watch his back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 I still don't know what his lisp has got to do with anything of relevance...care to venture a guess? My guess: I used to think it was a lack of serviceable synapses, but I'm now convinced it's the perfect storm: OCD and Tourettes Syndrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 I bet David Cameron and the Conservative party are as delighted as I am. To be fair, I think that although the Conservatives might be happy to see the potential of a *****fight between the two Ed's (ala Blair & Brown), I think they are concerned that Balls is more than a match for Osborne (who at times looked only marginally better than the out of depth Johnson). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 I hope James Purnell is given a return to politics by Milliband E. He and David Milliband would have trounced the ConDems. The two Ed's are very much second choice for me, but to be fair, they're not up against much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunrise Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Mods - please can we have a seperate political forum so Dune can continue his obsession with Labour there please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurosaint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Balls and Brown raided company pension schemes. You have to laugh that they "took advice from the civil servants" on abolishing tax relief in the 'private sector' ! How to create a two tier society in one easy lesson ! On top of that you add another million public employees over 13 years and 'bingo' we have a pension blackhole to die for ! Congratulations Mr Balls, great to see you back ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 I still don't know what his lisp has got to do with anything of relevance...care to venture a guess? Absolutely agree with you although I don't actually think it is a lisp that he has, more a case of a problem with his adenoids. (Cue childish comments about haemorrhoids). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Absolutely agree with you although I don't actually think it is a lisp that he has, more a case of a problem with his adenoids. That certainly piles on the agony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorpe-le-Saint Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 That certainly piles on the agony Credit where it is due trousers, I do love a good pun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 21 January, 2011 Share Posted 21 January, 2011 Oh dear. So now the Socialists have a geek as leader and a bulbous eyed smirking Nick Griffin look-a-like as his number two. Alan johnson was utterly out of his depth in the job, but was likeable, so i'm absolutely loving the fact he has been replaced by one of the most unlikeable Socialists of the lot. I bet David Cameron and the Conservative party are as delighted as I am. Interesting how you judge politicians on appearance. Like a child might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 6 December, 2012 Share Posted 6 December, 2012 [video=youtube_share;ol_PVOyBRaI]http://youtu.be/ol_PVOyBRaI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Kucho Posted 6 December, 2012 Share Posted 6 December, 2012 [video=youtube_share;ol_PVOyBRaI]http://youtu.be/ol_PVOyBRaI Ed Balls, probably one of the few people who could do worse then Osborne as chancellor. Also good to see Milliband and Harman laughing in the background, at least some are enjoying the fact we have more years of austerity and people losing their jobs. How anyone could vote for these parties (labour, Cons, Lib Dems) is beyond me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 6 December, 2012 Share Posted 6 December, 2012 How anyone could vote for these parties (labour, Cons, Lib Dems) is beyond me. The alternative in England is to not vote at all - or choose between UKIP, BNP, the Greens, Respect, or the Monster Raving Loonies - come to think of it I can see a surge in voting for the MRLP coming on, they make as much sense as the mainstream muddlers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmore Posted 6 December, 2012 Share Posted 6 December, 2012 Ed Balls, probably one of the few people who could do worse then Osborne as chancellor. Also good to see Milliband and Harman laughing in the background, at least some are enjoying the fact we have more years of austerity and people losing their jobs. How anyone could vote for these parties (labour, Cons, Lib Dems) is beyond me. The sight of the guffawing millionaires opposite, laughing at what they have done turned my stomach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 6 December, 2012 Share Posted 6 December, 2012 The sight of the guffawing millionaires opposite, laughing at what they have done turned my stomach. And there was me assuming they were laughing at Ball's ineptitude... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Kucho Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 The sight of the guffawing millionaires opposite, laughing at what they have done turned my stomach. Exactly! If I was in parliament, I would be angry with the state of the economy whatever party I was in. People used to go in to politics because they wanted to make things better and cared for the country. These prats (LibLabCons) just want a career and don't care about the people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 Balls is one of the reasons I am now living in Oz. Him and Brown werent fit to run a sweet shop let alone the British economy. But how much did the Right On PC press lap up everything the pair of them did. Dangerous bull****ters the pair of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 Harriet Harman lurking like a snake in the background. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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