So David Cameron went to Eton

[BlackenedBiker]

Look at Bob Ainsworth. He was a welder and that was when he probably reached the peak of his capability. Totally out of his depth now, as is most, if not all, of the cabinet.

I don't care who went to Eton. Totally irrelevant, beyond proving to me they had an education, and probably a good one at that.

I agree, but surely it is strange that a great deal of our shadow and shadow cabinet are of that ilk (and they didn't get to Eton on merit but because of Daddy's cash). Prince Harry went to Eton but he is still as thick as Army Custard.

This is surely old school tie cronieism (sp) and this is wrong no matter what side of the house it occurs on.....

My main point is that politcians have no real life experience of what it is to be an ordinary joe in this country. They live in the rarified and highly politised atmosphere of the political elite from the time they leave university (where they read politics). Hence they perceive this as the normal world. Hence we have arguments in the nations parliament about the PMs hand writing (just irrelevant).........

More politicians with more experience of Britian, outside of Westminster.

I long for that.

[BlackenedBiker]

How can people who haven't had a decent education devise policy that is sympathetic to the needs of patients on mixed wards in Victorian hospitals?

They can't and that is not the problem - how can any politician devise any policy at such a low level? A political party can merely state aims and broad strokes on how to achieve such. It's down to the myriad public servants to implement that policy.

I beg to differ. A policy that places money at point of need has a direct impact on the needs of patients.

For instance, the encumbent bunch decided to upskill and increase the number of NHS workers. To that end a majority of the tax payers money has been spent on increases in wages and not on patient care, beds, wards, new medicines etc.

[ratewhore]

Prince Harry has turned out to be a very capable army officer, so I would have to disagree with you there.

Personally, I want educated and motivated politicians. New Labour have shown the reality of 'real people' trying to be world class politicians. It doesn't work.

All IMHO of course...

I agree, but surely it is strange that a great deal of our shadow and shadow cabinet are of that ilk (and they didn't get to Eton on merit but because of Daddy's cash). Prince Harry went to Eton but he is still as thick as Army Custard.

This is surely old school tie cronieism (sp) and this is wrong no matter what side of the house it occurs on.....

My main point is that politcians have no real life experience of what it is to be an ordinary joe in this country. They live in the rarified and highly politised atmosphere of the political elite from the time they leave university (where they read politics). Hence they perceive this as the normal world. Hence we have arguments in the nations parliament about the PMs hand writing (just irrelevant).........

More politicians with more experience of Britian, outside of Westminster.

I long for that.

[Moscow Mule]

I beg to differ. A policy that places money at point of need has a direct impact on the needs of patients.

For instance, the encumbent bunch decided to upskill and increase the number of NHS workers. To that end a majority of the tax payers money has been spent on increases in wages and not on patient care, beds, wards, new medicines etc.

I might not have said what I meant there, but I'm a bit busy now so will come back later with something more coherent.

[Moscow Mule]

I beg to differ. A policy that places money at point of need has a direct impact on the needs of patients.

For instance, the encumbent bunch decided to upskill and increase the number of NHS workers. To that end a majority of the tax payers money has been spent on increases in wages and not on patient care, beds, wards, new medicines etc.

ISTM that what you're actually asking for is a bit more joined up thinking on the effects a specific policy change will have after 3-4 years, not just the headlines it's devised to counter.

I don't think one bunch (Eton or ordinary) is any better placed to provide that.

[Mich the Tester]

Unfortunately, this site hasn't been updated for a while.

[BlackenedBiker]

Prince Harry has turned out to be a very capable army officer, so I would have to disagree with you there.

Personally, I want educated and motivated politicians. New Labour have shown the reality of 'real people' trying to be world class politicians. It doesn't work.

All IMHO of course...

What is your evidence for Harry Windsor being a capable army officer.

That is not what I am hearing from service men I know (my brother is a serving soldier).

Apparently he is "luggage"

But that is not the point. Nor is the side of the house that someone sits on. This is not a party issue. This is a politician issue


So what does someone from a top public school who lives in a castle with a moat (both sides of the house) know about what is important to the common man. Very little I would suspect. That is why many politicians thought that it was acceptable to claim for duck houses, moat cleaning etc.

Remember the avg salary in this country is £20,801. The voters should have politicians that are understanding/experienced of this position.

Does this mean that old Etonian and Harrovians should be barred from public office. Absolutely not, however I would like to see more experience and a cross section of politicians that is representative of the electorate.

[BlackenedBiker]

ISTM that what you're actually asking for is a bit more joined up thinking on the effects a specific policy change will have after 3-4 years, not just the headlines it's devised to counter.

I don't think one bunch (Eton or ordinary) is any better placed to provide that.

Exactly, I agree 100% with you. But more experienced politicians, not in politics but in the real world of accountancy, medicine, IT etc would maybe have led to better policies.

Do you know how many ex-nurses are now serving MPs in the UK.

None, not one (based on my WBR). Is that a representative elected body, I think not.

That is a shame, for patients in NHS care, don't you think.

[ratewhore]

What is your evidence for Harry Windsor being a capable army officer.

That is not what I am hearing from service men I know (my brother is a serving soldier).

Apparently he is "luggage"

But that is not the point. Nor is the side of the house that someone sits on. This is not a party issue. This is a politician issue


So what does someone from a top public school who lives in a castle with a moat (both sides of the house) know about what is important to the common man. Very little I would suspect. That is why many politicians thought that it was acceptable to claim for duck houses, moat cleaning etc.

Remember the avg salary in this country is £20,801. The voters should have politicians that are understanding/experienced of this position.

Does this mean that old Etonian and Harrovians should be barred from public office. Absolutely not, however I would like to see more experience and a cross section of politicians that is representative of the electorate.

Not getting into the whats or whys of Harry.

I will instead refer you back to my previous point about Bob Ainsworth. There's your representative man of the people...

[BlackenedBiker]

Not getting into the whats or whys of Harry.

I will instead refer you back to my previous point about Bob Ainsworth. There's your representative man of the people...

So your point is that Ainsworth didn't go to public school and he is crap.

Ummm ok, so let's only elect from public schools then and preferably zero real world experience.

happy now??