George Galloway is lost on me - self serving sh*tbag as far as i'm concerned.
John Smith was a good call though...
Have to add to my earlier comments - Tebbit, for the way he has conducted himself and the loyalty and dedication he has shown to his wife after the tragic injuries she suffered from the Brighton bombing
Worth reading his recent blog post to see what some of those Tory nutters think about the NHS:
kennyp - Member
Loads and loads of politicians out there working very hard and doing a great job for their constituents. Problem is that their work rarely gets reported. It's the bad ones that get the media attention.
Very true. Hence the odd reaction to whole pay rise thing. PDW, spot on - the media obsession and ridiculous scrutiny of every word makes politics rather sad these days.
MSP - MemberTony Benn
Became a better politician in his later years, commenting from the backbenches rather than being part of the inner circle.
He almost destroyed the Labour Party in the 1970's & early 80's.
If Healey had been elected insead of Foot, would the Tories have remained in power for so long, if at all?
So no, not for me.
John Smith is the last one I felt was on our side rather than his.
Liked Mo Mowlem.
I like Charles Kennedy too.
1970's Labour is the reason why I gained a taste for liver. For that reason all Labour politicians of that era are ****ing ****s.
I've seen Andy Burnham at Goodison a couple of times. Re-spect.
Eric Joyce - when you're just not quite getting your point across in the chamber, have an alehouse brawl in the Commons bar. Twice.
I'd tend to agree with the above that the majority of MPs work their balloches off, but are let down by a (sizable) minority.
Does Galloway still count as an MP? He never ever bothers to turn up to parliament, unless he's got an opportunity to get on telly with his usual bombast. Surely he's just a media commentator. I certainly wouldn't want the self-serving **** representing me.
There was an interesting article by everyones favourite - Polly Toynbee (emailed in from Tuscany, no doubt) - on our elected representatives, and our relationship with them. Raises some interesting points
[url= http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/30/share-blame-for-useless-politicians ]We must all share the blame for our 'useless' politicians[/url]
Oh… and another vote for Andy Burnham. I knew him pretty well, pre-political career. He's a genuine bloke. And, amazingly for a politician, is prepared to admit his own failings, and his part in the wider distrust of politics. He'd be a damn site better opposition leader than the muppet presently in situ
The one MP that I know personally is someone that I have a huge amount of respect for, and who left a successful career elsewhere
I immediately dismiss any career politicians. A good start to political reform would be to mandate a decent amount of outside world experience - widen the Westminster gene pool a bit.
I find a lot of politicians seem better after they have left the limelight - Heseltine, Major, Benn, Hague to an extent. Which does make you wonder if a minimum age/real world experience requirement would be a good idea....
I thought that part of the reason for mps etc being paid a competitive salary was to prevent parliament becoming a sort of club for bankers and lawyers who had made their money elsewhere and were looking to go into semi retirement.
I'll admit that has failed but a minimum age limit just seems to further narrow the gene pool, and there's still precious few working class mps nevermind women mps or ethnic minority mps.
In my lifetime;
Michael Heseltine
Neil Kinnock
Berlusconi?
At least he was clear in being as dishonest as a politician can be.
Historically, I must say Geoffrey Dickens sounds like a good bloke:
a heavyweight boxer who saved 2 boys and a man from drowning, who then went on to compile a dossier of evidence proving the existence of a high profile paedophile ring... despite Tom Watson repeatedly requesting this dossier (which should be in the archives) from Theresa May, it has yet to surface...
On that note, and politicians I don't respect;
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Have you heard the rumours surrounding Leon Brittan?
[url= http://spotlightonabuse.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/leon-brittan-and-the-leeds-child-abuse-dossier/ ]Very interesting!![/url]
Obama
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None of the Brits. Not one.
Apart from Estelle Morris and Lord Carrington how many MPs have resigned as a matter of principle/taking responsibility for any failing? I am not including "forced to resign".
Heseltine, Howe.
Very few in senior politics. Trouble is, the ones who stick by their ideals tend to be fanatics, fundamentalism is always the strongest form of belief but it gives you nutters like Thatcher, Blair etc. Being your own person isn't necessarily a good thing! Course, too many of have learned the lesson of believing in only what will help you win, today, and have gone to the other extreme.
I don't know if I quite respect Alex Salmond, he is pretty odious in a lot of ways. But I certainly admire his commitment and his prowess. I thought his championing of votes for 16 year olds was eyeopening.
Wonder where we'd be now if John Smith had lived and Tony Blair had died...
Would you count both as "matters of principle"?
Howe "possibly" more that Tarzan?
Mandy - both times?
Sometimes it is OTT ok its their watch but were the blame?
Carrington voted against it [ the ship removal] for example - he did it on principle but he was not to blame- I think it showed how foolish it was to just resign in some circusmtances
I accept we have swung too far the other way though.
To answer your question NO but I am not sure whether it is a good thing or a bad thing.
We need more honour but not pointless sword falling
NW, hence the phrase, power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely!!!!
Northwind - Member
I thought his championing of votes for 16 year olds was....
...tactically opportunistic?!? 😉
[quote=Junkyard said]Mandy - both times?
Pushed first time ? And possibly second time too ?
teamhurtmore - Member...tactically opportunistic?!?
Exactly the opposite- every poll shows they'll vote No, but he's championed their right to do so.
Margaret Thatcher, for saving us.
Is that right? Interesting, Last poll I saw only showed under 24s (irritatingly) who were in the yes camp. Where did you get that from NW?
Could it be the polls themselves are propaganda to alter public perception, because the Banksters in London are bricking it at losing Oil, Whiskey, Tourism and Character?
I'm thinking Yes
THM, here are a few for you.
The coverage of this issue was predictably onesided tbh but you can draw your own conclusions from the presentation- lots of articles and No campaigners telling us the SNP wanted the 16-17 year old vote because they would vote Yes, but no evidence or polling ever presented, just a mysterious absence of numbers...
Thanks for that NW. I take it back about wee eck then - at least in this respect!!!!
binners - Member
Does Galloway still count as an MP? He never ever bothers to turn up to parliament, unless he's got an opportunity to get on telly with his usual bombast. Surely he's just a media commentator. I certainly wouldn't want the self-serving **** representing me.
The more time on telly he gets, the better as far as I am concerned. He raises a lot of issues etc. that never seem to be heard on mainstream media. He's got some balls too, and in my opinion very well educated on the subjects /topics he believes in.
I find a lot of politicians seem better after they have left the limelight
This. They seem to give better/ more interesting interviews at least.
Tom Watson keeps on fighting the good fight:
and he has the documents to back it up:
[url= http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2014/01/a-conspiracy-too-far-read-the-documents-and-make-up-your-own-mind ]http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2014/01/a-conspiracy-too-far-read-the-documents-and-make-up-your-own-mind[/url]
and a bit more background:
[url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/14/david-cameron-inquiry-british-role-amritsar-attack-sas ]http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/14/david-cameron-inquiry-british-role-amritsar-attack-sas[/url]
Of the current crop in the UK:
Caroline Lucas, Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Tom Watson, Patrick Harvie & Leanne Wood are pretty good generally with Katy Clark & Stella Creasy generally ok, but a bit wobbly on some things.
Outside of that, José Mujica (the President of Uraguay) Evo Morales (Bolivian President), Nándor Tánczos (New Zealand Green Politician) amongst others.
Of the politicians I've worked with Alan Milburn and Alan Johnson were the best.
Are we only talking MPs and those of similar standing, or do County Councillors count? I'd like to nominate my County (and District) Councillor, Tom Wells.
I don't think I'll ever vote Tory but I respect Zac Goldsmith and Tim Yeo for championing green issues and keeping the Tories true to their roots (i.e. conservative conservation)
Dennis Canavan
No not really, although I'm sure there are some unsung hero's out there. Problem with any politicians is that do well they have to be a bit slimey to get there and then once there power corrupts. Hence, the public via voting need to keep them on their toes, anyone in a safe seat will invariably take the p*ss, as it's easy street.
Our local MP Andrew Miller has been very good IMO he has held the seat since 1992 and sadly announced he will be standing down at the next election 🙁
He has always replied promptly and with a good understanding to any letters, it probably helped he worked in the real world before becoming an MP
[url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Miller_(politician) ]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Miller_(politician)[/url]
[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25311365 ]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25311365[/url]
possibly John Smith and yet you just don't know, do you? [ my wife helped resuscitate his after his first attack, sadly he was stricken a second time.. ] In the same vein, Robin Cook (!)
Alistair Darling quite possibly.
I think it speaks volumes that I'd quite possibly be able to name a government cabinet from the 1980s, but not now..
not sure about Charles Kennedy; Menzies Campbell. Paddy Ashdown almost certainly.
I suppose it's the thing about balancing the representing the views of your electorate, while at the same time taking tough decisions for their future benefit.
trouble is, who'd actually /be/ a politician? It's that old Billy Connolly gag about barring anyone that would want to stand.
I think William Hague does a pretty good job.
Ghengis Khan.
If he had trains, they'd run on time.
I think William Hague does a pretty good job.
I have to disagree there... I've seen plenty of evidence to suggest he has some very nasty skeletons in his closet, with close links to his predecessor, Leon Brittan.
I forgot about Robin Cook; very principled with his resignation over the Invasion of Iraq and honest enough to disclose that [url= http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/08/july7.development ]"Al-Qaida, literally 'the database', was originally the computer file of the thousands of mujahideen who were recruited and trained with help from the CIA to defeat the Russians"[/url] a few weeks prior to his untimely death
a fairly good mate of mine set off on a political 'career'.. he was a decent bloke chancer beer drinking spoke as he saw no silver spoon.. best part of 30 years later and hes morphed in to an tory MP.
The words respect and decent cannot belong in the same sentence as politician. They're all as bad as each other.
Peter Tatchell
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Frank Kendall III
