Sign of the times?

[therealjr]

I won't post this in the other thread as I don't want to offend anyone leaving tributes.
Is it a sign of the times, of mass media and social networking giving voices to all (or as suggested elsewhere envy politics) that those of a socialist/left wing persuasion condemn people like Cameron and Osborne for their privileged upbringings and education and yet praise someone like Tony Benn who was educated at an exclusive private school and a top Oxford college and went home every night to his millionaire wife?
Are you only out of touch with the problems of 'real' people if you stayed on the right of british politics?

[Pete]

I think the difference between the likes of Cameron and Osborne and Tony Benn is that Tony Benn didn’t use his background to help the rich grow their fortunes - he stood up for the working man against the greed of the Tories.

[Old Cruser]

Personally, a persons background has nothing to do with how I view them. It is how they (politicians) do the work they get handsomely paid for plus perks.
Whoever runs the country should try and be fair to all whether rich or poor. They should be understanding to people lives but probably not much to choose from all parties.
This particular party we have in currently though seems to be less clued up about the poorer end of the UK - or just don't care.

[Pete]

Tony Benn -- The issue is Thatcher

Good find by Stuart.

[therealjr]

I think the difference between the likes of Cameron and Osborne and Tony Benn is that Tony Benn didn’t use his background to help the rich grow their fortunes - he stood up for the working man against the greed of the Tories.

True but you could argue that made him a hypocrite.
Let's put it this way.
Suppose you did a Dyson came up with a great invention and became a mutli millionaire overnight.
Cameron and Osbournes attitude would be congratulations, enjoy your wealth, spend it as you see fit, use it to educate your children at the best schools etc.
Benn's attitude would be you've only made that money on the back of the workers, pay most of it back in tax and send your children to the local state school.
But that's not what he did.
He himself was privately educated and he sent his son to a private prep school.

[Fly]

But he backed the party that was supposed to be for the working class.
Just cos 'he' was privately educated and rich didn't divert him from wanting the best for less well off.

[Pete]

I think that rejecting the easy life of an hereditary peerage for the life of a Labour MP is proof enough of the man's commitment to the cause in which  he believed.

As to his parents, wife, children etc, it would be naive to condemn him for his part in those relationships. Just as I think its wrong to bring up a child in a particular religious faith (let them decide when they are old enough to) it would be wrong to force his convictions on his family.

And to criticise him for having a private education is also naive - how many of us have our political views decided by the age one starts school. None.

As OC said, judge the man by his actions not by his circumstances.

It is not wise to apply the notion that things are either black or white - wisdom comes to those who acknowledge the many degrees of grey. Anyway, the black or white brigade have a different forum for that.

Sorry for being clumbsy with my words.... I know what I mean

*puts soapbox away*

[Fly]

Just replied to a post on FB by a friend, Patrick. PM me if you don't know him, he's an old CF member.

I don't think he agreed with every Labour party policy. So he spoke. His heart was in the right place. People, not profit.

[therealjr]

I just think it's easy to speak about the class war when you don't actually have to fight yourself.

[Old Cruser]

I would agree with that JR.

[Fly]

I'm not into politics JR. I spoke for myself and people of my age and circumstance. I had a year on strike.
It was against a Gov at the time I didn't agree with.  Yes it got me no where. Yes Scargill was probably wrong.
You can't take take it away from people though.

I just think it's easy to speak about the class war when you don't actually have to fight yourself.

Fu** me, I think I've just understood what you meant JR. Friday night and beer is never good.
So cos he was rich, he isn't, sorry, wasn't,  allowed to have a Labour opinion ?
Do you get benefits from shopping at Sainsbury's ?
Can I get cheap taxis.
I make more money from fuelling up at Morrisons personally. More beneficial than Nectar points.

[therealjr]

Sorry Fly the last couple of points have lost me?

[Fly]

Some of yours do me JR. At least we can stay civil with each other.
Logging off, bed time 

[therealjr]

Stay civil my @rse!!! Sleep well

[Old Cruser]

We need more politicians at the top (as in prime Ministers ) who have come from working class or at least from a more middle class and so have some insight on maybe all classes - does that make sense?