Career politicians
Discussion
I met one last night - or at least an aspiring one.
Thought I'd share this with you!
We have a by-election looming as a result of the death of our local County Councillor. Old boy who'd been in post for donkey's years but was generally effective and completely dedicated to our part of the world.
Out on a dog walk over the fields and this 19 year-old lad approaches us, all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes and handed us a leaflet. Said he was representing a candidate for the upcoming by-election, who was wandering around nearby and seemed uninterested in actually engaging with anyone. I suggested he come over for a chat. 33 year old - also all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes.
His pitch: Has lived in the area 'for years'. Set up and run major Tech Firm that employed 50 people, raising millions in Venture Capital - understands economics. Understands the key local issues which he said are speeding and farming.
The reality. Despite living in the area for years, did not know how to properly pronounce the name of the village or the name of the second of two pubs. Speeding and farming are not the key local issues - over development, lack of transport infrastructure and poorly maintained roads are what keeps the locals niggling.
He didn't know this (and nor did I until I checked him out) but I know his Dad so I know that the 'Tech Firm' he mentioned was started by someone else and was shut down by the FSA for falsely trading under a false licence.
His aide also mentioned that he'd set up and run a chain of flower stalls in a couple of markets, worked in the International Development Sector and as a Steward on Virgin Atlantic. Not a bad career spread for a 19 year old.
Back to the candidate. His party of choice is Reform. Party shouldn't matter at a local level but I couldn't help by express my views on the EU, immigration and woke culture (which for the record are 'remain', 'not a huge issue' and 'irrelevant'). He agreed with me! FFS - if you're going to pick a side, stick to the mantra even if it is wrong!!
So, we have a young aspiring politician willing to bend the truth. Lie a bit, say what the person they're talking to wants to hear whilst misunderstanding the reality of the world they wish to enter.
The lad will go far!
Thought I'd share this with you!
We have a by-election looming as a result of the death of our local County Councillor. Old boy who'd been in post for donkey's years but was generally effective and completely dedicated to our part of the world.
Out on a dog walk over the fields and this 19 year-old lad approaches us, all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes and handed us a leaflet. Said he was representing a candidate for the upcoming by-election, who was wandering around nearby and seemed uninterested in actually engaging with anyone. I suggested he come over for a chat. 33 year old - also all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes.
His pitch: Has lived in the area 'for years'. Set up and run major Tech Firm that employed 50 people, raising millions in Venture Capital - understands economics. Understands the key local issues which he said are speeding and farming.
The reality. Despite living in the area for years, did not know how to properly pronounce the name of the village or the name of the second of two pubs. Speeding and farming are not the key local issues - over development, lack of transport infrastructure and poorly maintained roads are what keeps the locals niggling.
He didn't know this (and nor did I until I checked him out) but I know his Dad so I know that the 'Tech Firm' he mentioned was started by someone else and was shut down by the FSA for falsely trading under a false licence.
His aide also mentioned that he'd set up and run a chain of flower stalls in a couple of markets, worked in the International Development Sector and as a Steward on Virgin Atlantic. Not a bad career spread for a 19 year old.
Back to the candidate. His party of choice is Reform. Party shouldn't matter at a local level but I couldn't help by express my views on the EU, immigration and woke culture (which for the record are 'remain', 'not a huge issue' and 'irrelevant'). He agreed with me! FFS - if you're going to pick a side, stick to the mantra even if it is wrong!!
So, we have a young aspiring politician willing to bend the truth. Lie a bit, say what the person they're talking to wants to hear whilst misunderstanding the reality of the world they wish to enter.
The lad will go far!
StevieBee said:
I met one last night - or at least an aspiring one.
Thought I'd share this with you!
We have a by-election looming as a result of the death of our local County Councillor. Old boy who'd been in post for donkey's years but was generally effective and completely dedicated to our part of the world.
Out on a dog walk over the fields and this 19 year-old lad approaches us, all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes and handed us a leaflet. Said he was representing a candidate for the upcoming by-election, who was wandering around nearby and seemed uninterested in actually engaging with anyone. I suggested he come over for a chat. 33 year old - also all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes.
His pitch: Has lived in the area 'for years'. Set up and run major Tech Firm that employed 50 people, raising millions in Venture Capital - understands economics. Understands the key local issues which he said are speeding and farming.
The reality. Despite living in the area for years, did not know how to properly pronounce the name of the village or the name of the second of two pubs. Speeding and farming are not the key local issues - over development, lack of transport infrastructure and poorly maintained roads are what keeps the locals niggling.
He didn't know this (and nor did I until I checked him out) but I know his Dad so I know that the 'Tech Firm' he mentioned was started by someone else and was shut down by the FSA for falsely trading under a false licence.
His aide also mentioned that he'd set up and run a chain of flower stalls in a couple of markets, worked in the International Development Sector and as a Steward on Virgin Atlantic. Not a bad career spread for a 19 year old.
Back to the candidate. His party of choice is Reform. Party shouldn't matter at a local level but I couldn't help by express my views on the EU, immigration and woke culture (which for the record are 'remain', 'not a huge issue' and 'irrelevant'). He agreed with me! FFS - if you're going to pick a side, stick to the mantra even if it is wrong!!
So, we have a young aspiring politician willing to bend the truth. Lie a bit, say what the person they're talking to wants to hear whilst misunderstanding the reality of the world they wish to enter.
The lad will go far!
Hoping for a role in the planning committee, he will be good with brown envelopes!Thought I'd share this with you!
We have a by-election looming as a result of the death of our local County Councillor. Old boy who'd been in post for donkey's years but was generally effective and completely dedicated to our part of the world.
Out on a dog walk over the fields and this 19 year-old lad approaches us, all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes and handed us a leaflet. Said he was representing a candidate for the upcoming by-election, who was wandering around nearby and seemed uninterested in actually engaging with anyone. I suggested he come over for a chat. 33 year old - also all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes.
His pitch: Has lived in the area 'for years'. Set up and run major Tech Firm that employed 50 people, raising millions in Venture Capital - understands economics. Understands the key local issues which he said are speeding and farming.
The reality. Despite living in the area for years, did not know how to properly pronounce the name of the village or the name of the second of two pubs. Speeding and farming are not the key local issues - over development, lack of transport infrastructure and poorly maintained roads are what keeps the locals niggling.
He didn't know this (and nor did I until I checked him out) but I know his Dad so I know that the 'Tech Firm' he mentioned was started by someone else and was shut down by the FSA for falsely trading under a false licence.
His aide also mentioned that he'd set up and run a chain of flower stalls in a couple of markets, worked in the International Development Sector and as a Steward on Virgin Atlantic. Not a bad career spread for a 19 year old.
Back to the candidate. His party of choice is Reform. Party shouldn't matter at a local level but I couldn't help by express my views on the EU, immigration and woke culture (which for the record are 'remain', 'not a huge issue' and 'irrelevant'). He agreed with me! FFS - if you're going to pick a side, stick to the mantra even if it is wrong!!
So, we have a young aspiring politician willing to bend the truth. Lie a bit, say what the person they're talking to wants to hear whilst misunderstanding the reality of the world they wish to enter.
The lad will go far!
Sounds like an utter tit. Sadly, this is the level of self interest and experience that is increasingly out there 'representing' us. Really, there should be more interest and enthusiasm from people to get involved in their local community and politics, but that sense of community and collective interest is very much diminished over the last 50 years as people can't be bothered, the idea of doing things without pay and taking a lot of crap for it isn't very appealing and as we've become a more transient society there has been a weakening of individual links to locations.
I think of it like football and tennis. If you don't have all the junior teams and club level activity supported it'll be very difficult to nurture actual talent. I think we see this today in politics. A game played from the top with 'representatives' dropped in from above by party interest, not any sense of having interest in grass roots matters.
It's for this reason I have huge respect for Rory Stewart. Whether you like him and his politics or not, you get a sense he still holds that obligation to understand the people he's elected by and work for their interests. Farage and Truss.... the evidence speaks for itself.
I think of it like football and tennis. If you don't have all the junior teams and club level activity supported it'll be very difficult to nurture actual talent. I think we see this today in politics. A game played from the top with 'representatives' dropped in from above by party interest, not any sense of having interest in grass roots matters.
It's for this reason I have huge respect for Rory Stewart. Whether you like him and his politics or not, you get a sense he still holds that obligation to understand the people he's elected by and work for their interests. Farage and Truss.... the evidence speaks for itself.
biggles330d said:
Sounds like an utter tit. Sadly, this is the level of self interest and experience that is increasingly out there 'representing' us. Really, there should be more interest and enthusiasm from people to get involved in their local community and politics, but that sense of community and collective interest is very much diminished over the last 50 years as people can't be bothered, the idea of doing things without pay and taking a lot of crap for it isn't very appealing and as we've become a more transient society there has been a weakening of individual links to locations.
I think of it like football and tennis. If you don't have all the junior teams and club level activity supported it'll be very difficult to nurture actual talent. I think we see this today in politics. A game played from the top with 'representatives' dropped in from above by party interest, not any sense of having interest in grass roots matters.
But there are the junior teams nurturing that political 'talent'. The whole ecosystem of party activist (from young) to spad/and or local councillor (for the due number of years) before being elevated up to being allowed to try for being an MP if deemed sufficiently loyal is the entire basis for how politics works in the country with every party essentially doing a variation of that. Rory stewart in his book described that pretty clearly i think.....I think of it like football and tennis. If you don't have all the junior teams and club level activity supported it'll be very difficult to nurture actual talent. I think we see this today in politics. A game played from the top with 'representatives' dropped in from above by party interest, not any sense of having interest in grass roots matters.
biggles330d said:
Sounds like an utter tit. Sadly, this is the level of self interest and experience that is increasingly out there 'representing' us. Really, there should be more interest and enthusiasm from people to get involved in their local community and politics, but that sense of community and collective interest is very much diminished over the last 50 years as people can't be bothered, the idea of doing things without pay and taking a lot of crap for it isn't very appealing and as we've become a more transient society there has been a weakening of individual links to locations.
I think of it like football and tennis. If you don't have all the junior teams and club level activity supported it'll be very difficult to nurture actual talent. I think we see this today in politics. A game played from the top with 'representatives' dropped in from above by party interest, not any sense of having interest in grass roots matters.
It's for this reason I have huge respect for Rory Stewart. Whether you like him and his politics or not, you get a sense he still holds that obligation to understand the people he's elected by and work for their interests. Farage and Truss.... the evidence speaks for itself.
I particularly agree with your view on Rory.I think of it like football and tennis. If you don't have all the junior teams and club level activity supported it'll be very difficult to nurture actual talent. I think we see this today in politics. A game played from the top with 'representatives' dropped in from above by party interest, not any sense of having interest in grass roots matters.
It's for this reason I have huge respect for Rory Stewart. Whether you like him and his politics or not, you get a sense he still holds that obligation to understand the people he's elected by and work for their interests. Farage and Truss.... the evidence speaks for itself.
Sadly, ethics/backbone/integrity are increasingly missing in a lot of politicians, of all colours, perusasions and countries.
crofty1984 said:
I'd like to make it a condition of standing for MP that you need to have worked in a non-political role for at least 5 years before you can be on the ballot.
I would agree - but there is the problem of drawing the line on the union/Labour pathway, i.e., when does a union position become political?isaldiri said:
But there are the junior teams nurturing that political 'talent'. The whole ecosystem of party activist (from young) to spad/and or local councillor (for the due number of years) before being elevated up to being allowed to try for being an MP if deemed sufficiently loyal is the entire basis for how politics works in the country with every party essentially doing a variation of that. Rory stewart in his book described that pretty clearly i think.....
Being a councillor is s
t preparation for being an MP; councils are executive, parliament is legislative. Party politics is more often than not poison to effective running of a council.Ridgemont said:
Voter encounters a young career politician and discovers that they are absolutely awful shocker.
To be fair I’m slightly impressed that reform are on those types of manoeuvres 4 months after a general election.
I believe it's a by election, and at local level too.To be fair I’m slightly impressed that reform are on those types of manoeuvres 4 months after a general election.
Nationally, reform (Nigel) is busy securing a seat on his next gravy train.
hidetheelephants said:
Being a councillor is st preparation for being an MP; councils are executive, parliament is legislative. Party politics is more often than not poison to effective running of a council.
That's a good observation, and I would agree.t preparation for being an MP; councils are executive, parliament is legislative. Party politics is more often than not poison to effective running of a council.At the council I work for (which straddles a few parliamentary constituencies) there have been at least 2 council leaders who have made it to MP, and both into ministerial roles at various times. Not forgetting John major of course, who led Lambeth on a massive council house building programme.
So I would estimate the following helps politicians get from local level to national level
- trusted by the party machine
- face fitting
- locally recognised
- maybe built up enough favours owed and goodwill to rely on it.
The flip side though I have seen long standing council leaders unsuccessful for selection, and lost out to fresher faces.
This is generally where the party machine wants a face to fit, or someone has accrued even more goodwill/favours owed to get a safe seat.
I would also add that whilst executive in function, the leader of the council is also leader of the largest political group, and the role is very much political.
So whilst so e political skill learnt whilst leading a council is useful, it's of secondary significance to the ability to secure your place on the greasy pole of politics.
Finally, Reform are small still, and will take whatever candidates come I guess. So in the OPs case, the dearth of good candidates is wholly a matter for (good) local people not being willing to engage in politics.
And those same local people wonder why politicians are getting worse.
It is a vicious circle really but politics (like being a vicar) is a vocation more than just a "job" and it's not for most people imo.
StevieBee said:
I met one last night - or at least an aspiring one.
Thought I'd share this with you!
We have a by-election looming as a result of the death of our local County Councillor. Old boy who'd been in post for donkey's years but was generally effective and completely dedicated to our part of the world.
Out on a dog walk over the fields and this 19 year-old lad approaches us, all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes and handed us a leaflet. Said he was representing a candidate for the upcoming by-election, who was wandering around nearby and seemed uninterested in actually engaging with anyone. I suggested he come over for a chat. 33 year old - also all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes.
His pitch: Has lived in the area 'for years'. Set up and run major Tech Firm that employed 50 people, raising millions in Venture Capital - understands economics. Understands the key local issues which he said are speeding and farming.
The reality. Despite living in the area for years, did not know how to properly pronounce the name of the village or the name of the second of two pubs. Speeding and farming are not the key local issues - over development, lack of transport infrastructure and poorly maintained roads are what keeps the locals niggling.
He didn't know this (and nor did I until I checked him out) but I know his Dad so I know that the 'Tech Firm' he mentioned was started by someone else and was shut down by the FSA for falsely trading under a false licence.
His aide also mentioned that he'd set up and run a chain of flower stalls in a couple of markets, worked in the International Development Sector and as a Steward on Virgin Atlantic. Not a bad career spread for a 19 year old.
Back to the candidate. His party of choice is Reform. Party shouldn't matter at a local level but I couldn't help by express my views on the EU, immigration and woke culture (which for the record are 'remain', 'not a huge issue' and 'irrelevant'). He agreed with me! FFS - if you're going to pick a side, stick to the mantra even if it is wrong!!
So, we have a young aspiring politician willing to bend the truth. Lie a bit, say what the person they're talking to wants to hear whilst misunderstanding the reality of the world they wish to enter.
The lad will go far!
Sounds like a bit of a Walter, maybe he's the son of Reeves?Thought I'd share this with you!
We have a by-election looming as a result of the death of our local County Councillor. Old boy who'd been in post for donkey's years but was generally effective and completely dedicated to our part of the world.
Out on a dog walk over the fields and this 19 year-old lad approaches us, all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes and handed us a leaflet. Said he was representing a candidate for the upcoming by-election, who was wandering around nearby and seemed uninterested in actually engaging with anyone. I suggested he come over for a chat. 33 year old - also all Polo quarter-zip and Loakes.
His pitch: Has lived in the area 'for years'. Set up and run major Tech Firm that employed 50 people, raising millions in Venture Capital - understands economics. Understands the key local issues which he said are speeding and farming.
The reality. Despite living in the area for years, did not know how to properly pronounce the name of the village or the name of the second of two pubs. Speeding and farming are not the key local issues - over development, lack of transport infrastructure and poorly maintained roads are what keeps the locals niggling.
He didn't know this (and nor did I until I checked him out) but I know his Dad so I know that the 'Tech Firm' he mentioned was started by someone else and was shut down by the FSA for falsely trading under a false licence.
His aide also mentioned that he'd set up and run a chain of flower stalls in a couple of markets, worked in the International Development Sector and as a Steward on Virgin Atlantic. Not a bad career spread for a 19 year old.
Back to the candidate. His party of choice is Reform. Party shouldn't matter at a local level but I couldn't help by express my views on the EU, immigration and woke culture (which for the record are 'remain', 'not a huge issue' and 'irrelevant'). He agreed with me! FFS - if you're going to pick a side, stick to the mantra even if it is wrong!!
So, we have a young aspiring politician willing to bend the truth. Lie a bit, say what the person they're talking to wants to hear whilst misunderstanding the reality of the world they wish to enter.
The lad will go far!
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