The Mayor of Doncaster

[PM-Junkie]

Quite amazing how hot under the collar some people can get just because someone has the temerity to suggest that people moving to Britain should learn the language if they want to live here.

Quite amazing, and quite revealing.

[TykeMerc]

Which part of "Nearly no one bothered to vote which means he doesn't have a mandate from the people" concept do you not understand?

That's the English electroral system for you in a nutshell.

I very much doubt that any UK General Election constituency had a turnout exceeding 50% in the last 30 years, 35% turnout or less isn't uncommon.

We wind up with parties having massive majority Westminster governments with 40-45% of the vote on 20-45% turnouts yet almost no-one bleats that they haven't got a mandate despite them having 20% or less of the possible votes.
There's no obligation to vote in this country so turnouts are routinely low due to a combination of ignorance, apathy and disillusionment, our democracy is a farce.

Back on topic I'm not unhappy to see a politician finally stating publically that this country has gone far too far down the route of being "inclusive". People who come to the UK should integrate INTO the UK, not expect the UK to accomodate them.

[PM-Junkie]

That's the English electroral system for you in a nutshell.

I very much doubt that any UK General Election constituency had a turnout exceeding 50% in the last 30 years, 35% turnout or less isn't uncommon.

We wind up with parties having massive majority Westminster governments with 40-45% of the vote on 20-45% turnouts yet almost no-one bleats that they haven't got a mandate despite them having 20% or less of the possible votes.
There's no obligation to vote in this country so turnouts are routinely low due to a combination of ignorance, apathy and disillusionment, our democracy is a farce.

Back on topic I'm not unhappy to see a politician finally stating publically that this country has gone far too far down the route of being "inclusive". People who come to the UK should integrate INTO the UK, not expect the UK to accomodate them.

WHS. With bells on. And with bells on the bells.

[DodgyAgent]

We are here talking about the mayor of Doncaster and you throw that in, you're like a petulant little child. Is that really your idea of debating?.

No. But it is quite useful to point out to sneering foreigners that so enjoy trashing the British that where they come from is not exactly a Utopia of freedom. Whilst you are splitting hairs at least the mayor of Doncaster has a mandate to exercise his authority which is more than can be said of some "leaders" in other countries.

[leeperry]

No. But it is quite useful to point out to sneering foreigners that so enjoy trashing the British that where they come from is not exactly a Utopia of freedom.

No, it was a pathetic little point scoring jibe from someone who isn't capable of having a discussion, that's what it was.

And I wasn't trashing the british, I've lived here for over a decade and I quite like it, I don't view the vote of 11.75% of the people of Doncaster as being indicative of the views of the people of Doncaster, nevermind the views of the whole of Britian - I'd be pretty thick if I did.

[DodgyAgent]

No, it was a pathetic little point scoring jibe from someone who isn't capable of having a discussion, that's what it was.

And I wasn't trashing the british, I've lived here for over a decade and I quite like it, I don't view the vote of 11.75% of the people of Doncaster as being indicative of the views of the people of Doncaster, nevermind the views of the whole of Britian - I'd be pretty thick if I did.

You have had a good crack at it in the past.

My "point scoring" as you call it was to put some perspective on your absurd assertion that just because someone has a mandate (bear in mind everyone was free to vote),that unless it is enough to satisfy you then anyone in power in this country should not be allowed to do anything.

So what is in your view the right mandate for the mayor of Doncaster to conduct reforms?

[Churchill]

No, it was a pathetic little point scoring jibe from someone who isn't capable of having a discussion, that's what it was.

And I wasn't trashing the british, I've lived here for over a decade and I quite like it, I don't view the vote of 11.75% of the people of Doncaster as being indicative of the views of the people of Doncaster, nevermind the views of the whole of Britian - I'd be pretty thick if I did.

If the other 88.25% of the Doncaster electorate didn't want him elected they would have voted against him.

If you don't vote you've got no say in the matter!

Voter apathy unfortunately is the bane of this country, that's how labour got in power!

[threaded]

Not sure about the no free language classes.

If we do not give the new arrivals (v. neutral term) a leg up then we will always be giving them a hand out.

Ignore the reason why they are here. That is in the past. Give them the tools to become tax payers and English is a prerequisite for living and working in England.

I totally agree. When I first came to Denmark I was quite pleased to get free language lessons.

And the way the education system works in Denmark, you can just keep on going (as long as you work hard and pass), so much so I've gotten myself some pretty fancy bits of paper: translator certifications etc., which, believe it or not, has not only put me in the frame for some seriously good contracts in finance and the mil, not just in Denmark, but in the UK too, and has made it into another 'plan B': I translate books and articles for a writer that used to be one of my tutors.

[threaded]

On which planet is 11.75% a majority?. How can you think he has a mandate when so few of the electorate voted for him?

You are confusing those who voted with the whole electorate. Those who didn't vote are by definition happy to allow the choice to be made by those who did.

So the reality is he got a rather huge mandate.

HTH

[PM-Junkie]

No, it was a pathetic little point scoring jibe from someone who isn't capable of having a discussion, that's what it was.

And I wasn't trashing the british, I've lived here for over a decade and I quite like it, I don't view the vote of 11.75% of the people of Doncaster as being indicative of the views of the people of Doncaster, nevermind the views of the whole of Britian - I'd be pretty thick if I did.

Remarkable. So you know exactly what 88.25% of the people of Doncaster think do you? Know them all personally do you? How do you know that the views expressed by 11.75% of the people of Doncaster isn't exactly the same as the view of everyone who didn't vote, and that the other 88.25% just couldn't be bothered to go out and vote? Because it doesn't tally with the way you think??

See, we can all play this game.