Gransnet forums

News & politics

Democracy strengthened

(129 Posts)
whitewave Thu 01-Oct-15 08:04:30

I have just been listening to some people on radio 4 talking about JC. At the start of the interview, the usual question about immigration was asked "do you think there are too many" "is JC wrong saying they should be welcomed" and "are they taking your jobs"

I was fully prepared for each of the 6 interviewees to affirm all the questions, but was delighted at all their replies. They were working class living in East London experiencing a relatively hard life - mum's with tiny children on the 13th floor of a high rise, dad having to travel -he is unemployed- to Leeds for an interview for a job. What happens if he gets it they are unclear. Other folk interviewed were similar.
What is absolutely clear is the support that they are giving to JC and his new form of democracy. They talked about how at last there is someone with whom they can identify, and understands their life and struggle.
They talked of at last after 18 years there being a real opposition to the Tories.
As for the immigrants not one was against them.

soontobe Thu 01-Oct-15 08:12:07

Not sure of your point. 6 people agreed with JC.

soontobe Thu 01-Oct-15 08:17:32

How is it democracy if people vote for Trident, but JC has said that if he is leader, he is never going to press the button.
That is not democracy. That is the opposite of democracy.

If you look up the definition of democracy, it doesnt mention anything about majorities, or anything close.

Anya Thu 01-Oct-15 08:35:00

S2B can you tell me, under what circumstances would you have our PM (of whatever political persuation) press 'the button'?

whitewave Thu 01-Oct-15 08:53:17

Exactly -JC simply recognises the truth that our nuclear weapons are "neither independent, plausibly or legally usable in the 21st century"

Anya Thu 01-Oct-15 08:56:41

The question is worthy of a thread to itself, but I'd still like someone, anyone, who thinks we should keep trident, to answer that.

soontobe Thu 01-Oct-15 08:56:59

Not really considered that question.
If we have already been nuked would be 1 probably.
There are not many. The circumstances would have to be dire. 1/4 of our population already dead by one means or another, that sort of circumstance.

whitewave Thu 01-Oct-15 09:06:00

So the insanity if spending 100bn on something that is utterly useless is beyond comprehension. Just think what good could be done with that amount of money. Some of it must be used to reskill those workers whose jobs depend on it, but there would be masses left.
Just think we would be in budget surplus - GO would be euphoricgrin

soontobe Thu 01-Oct-15 09:13:17

It is very very far from being utterly useless.

99% of its use is in defence.

Defending the UK.

We live in peace in the UK. Never forget that. Or ways in which it is achieved.

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:16:07

Hardly insanity to have nuclear weapons ( you don't have tp press the button, but you never tell people publically that you won't).
Multilateral nuclear disarmament will never happen, therefore you have to be as well armed as the next guy.Not to have them ( when you have had them)
Would not be regarded globally as a ' kinder way of doing things' but more of a 'weaker way of doing things' thus leaving us open to any threats from countries who do have them.It's akin to saying no thanks, no guns, we will stick to our bows and arrows.

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:20:40

Instead of talking about 'us' using them, think instead about our country being protected simply because we have them, nobody knows if we would use them or not, it's bluff, but it works.

annodomini Thu 01-Oct-15 09:27:24

The acronym MAD for mutually assured destruction is all too apposite.

Alea Thu 01-Oct-15 09:32:55

<Banging head on wall>

It is very very far from being utterly useless

99% of its use is in defence

Defending the UK

We live in peace in the UK. Never forget that. Or ways in which it is achieved

Why do you have to speak in soundbites , Soontobe?
You don't explain what these pronouncements mean, or elaborate on them. They are not something set in stone and handed down on Mt Sinai.
And no, this is not a request for endless links, just a plea to explain what you mean.

whitewave Thu 01-Oct-15 09:37:14

Oh yes so Sweden, Norway, Germany, Denmark, Spain Italy Portugal, Australia, Canada, Japan, Brazil etc etc etc etc are all in imminent danger of annihilation?

sunseeker Thu 01-Oct-15 09:37:51

The phrase "Trust in God but carry a big stick" comes to mind. Nobody would WANT to press the button and I don't believe anyone in their right mind would. However, this is a dangerous world, just by having the ability to retaliate if attacked by another country helps keep us safe. The question of how to deal with terrorists is, of course, a different matter.

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:38:27

Imagine a scenario that a country or group within a country wants us to comply with something.... They threaten to use a nuclear device in London or Manchester unless we do what they want.We then can do nothing, as we don't have any nuclear weapons, they don't need to carry out the threat as we would have given in, we would have no choice.It's not about using them, but the threat of being able to use them.

whitewave Thu 01-Oct-15 09:38:29

stb remind me, when Britain was last at peace?

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:39:15

That should read... It's not about using them etc.

whitewave Thu 01-Oct-15 09:39:24

And this group? Where are they?

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:42:06

We have had peace for a long time, nobody has invaded us or threatened us.As a country we have chosen to get involved in wars in other countries.There is a vast difference between choosing to get involved and fighting for our very existence.

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:42:58

I said imagine a scenario, it could well happen.

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:47:47

Thankfully, we will never have to worry about this ( getting rid of nuclear devices) because no government here will ever do it, not any of them, including Labour. Corbyn is in a dream world all of his own.

whitewave Thu 01-Oct-15 09:47:58

No!!!! We have not had peace for a long time, we are constantly at war. The fact that we are sitting pretty looking out at the death and destruction we are wrecking on the world does NOT mean we are at peace. If having a nuclear weapon as a threat means we can merrily go on your way - is utter disgrace and shameful.

The scenario you envisage can never happen.

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:49:17

In your dreams only Whitewave.

rosesarered Thu 01-Oct-15 09:50:13

All countries go merrily on their way.