General Election - 4th July 2024

[Gabriel]

Just because some people don't see the appeal of Rayner doesn't mean you are going to convince them by pointing out your perceived inadequacies of her opponents. Fwiw I don't think Rayner comes across that well at times, she definitely lacks diplomacy skills which are pretty essential to be a skilled political operator. Unless she learns these quickly, I cant see her lasting in the cabinet for long.

Selective highlighting, to be sure, but the same was also true of Truss. Both probably appeal more to the tribal elements of their parties than to the middle ground electorate.

 

[west didsblue]

Just playing devils advocate for a minute, its an interesting idea that everyone who votes reform is a racist. I don't believe for one minute that 15% of the population are racist, do you believe that? There's surely more to it as to why people are choosing reform.

A lot of people are too thick to realise that Farage is a grifter who has profited from the stupidity of the people who have lent him their support over the years. His overt anti-foreigner rhetoric is carefully chosen to appeal to the latent racist instincts of a significant proportion of the population. Hopefully not a big enough proportion to win his party of misfits and fascists any seats.

 

[Big Joe Corrigan]

I supose that this depends to a degree on whether you judge everyone who thinks that the UK is allowing too many immigrants in is a racist? Do you think that?

I certainly believe a large percentage are.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Selective highlighting, to be sure, but the same was also true of Truss. Both probably appeal more to the tribal elements of their parties than to the middle ground electorate.

Truss is history what has she got to do with discussing Rayner?

 

[BobKowalski]

Living in Essex with a black wife and black in-laws, 15% seems fairly realistic. I think people would be genuinely shocked by the attitudes of a sizeable chunk of the population. I know I was.

Let’s be honest, if you're white, you haven’t really got a clue because you never see it or experience it. I was admittedly entirely ignorant to it myself before I met my wife and was firmly in the “racism isn’t really a thing in this country” camp.

I’m not claiming it’s worse than other countries, mind. It is definitely better than Portugal, probably Spain and Italy too. That doesn’t mean it’s not a thing.

That said, I actually do agree with you, there’s more behind the Reform vote than just simple racism. It’s a whole counter-culture that is basically nostalgia goggles for a segment of the population that thinks the British Empire was all really great and had no problems and we should go back to it.

My experience, too. Was blissfully ignorant until then. Real eye-opener. That said, my wife thinks continental Europe is worse and the UK does integrate better than most. Essex is a bit iffy in places, though :)

 

[Gabriel]

Truss is history what has she got to do with discussing Rayner?

I sense that both might be more popular with their party faithful. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[west didsblue]

People think Rayner is thick because of diction, which has noticeably improved over the years. She’s a lot smarter than many more well spoken MPs who went to better schools.

 

[bluenova]

People think Rayner is thick because of diction, which has noticeably improved over the years. She’s a lot smarter than many more well spoken MPs who went to better schools.

How was it that Boris Johnson was described?

"Educated well beyond his intelligence"

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Just because some people don't see the appeal of Rayner doesn't mean you are going to convince them by pointing out your perceived inadequacies of her opponents. Fwiw I don't think Rayner comes across that well at times, she definitely lacks diplomacy skills which are pretty essential to be a skilled political operator. Unless she learns these quickly, I cant see her lasting in the cabinet for long.

I’m not trying to persuade anyone of anything. I like her, and I’ve particularised why. I accept others won’t for perfectly valid reasons.

The main thrust of my post was aimed at Sunak (but not Cameron as I don’t think he’d have tried to make political capital out if it) and his reprehensible sneering, rooted in snobbery.

That doesn’t mean I was trying to persuade people to change their minds about Rayner.

 

[inchy14]

Just playing devils advocate for a minute, it’s an interesting idea that everyone who votes reform is a racist. I don't believe for one minute that 15% of the population are racist, do you believe that? There's surely more to it as to why people are choosing reform.

Had a staff member tell me yesterday that he’s voting reform. When I asked why he said to keep the immigrants out. When I pointed out the 2 other staff stood next to him were from Portugal and Spain and wouldn’t be welcome under reform he told me

“But these 2 are ok”

So what he really means are all the Asians who arrive here that he doesn’t want, therefore I conclude he’s fucking racist.