Avoiding politics

I would not be at all surprised if there are some shocks in the local and EU votes this time round. Some will think 'a plague on both your houses' about the main parties and will vote otherwise as a protest. There is a push to get Labour to promise a confirmatory vote if they win EU seats and that would make a lot of people vote for them, whether leavers or remainers as many feel it is the only way to heal the country. Although I do think there will be a very poor selection of candidates because there is no incentive to put yourself forward for a job which may not last more than a couple of months.

Personally I am so sickened with politics these days I try to avoid discussing the subject.
It causes stress and everyone seems entrenched in their own views.
I do find the politics threads on here, and the non political ones where zealots bring in politics at every opportunity, extremely negative.

Politics has always played a prominent part in my life both academically and personally: from protesting against war in the sixties to the present day when I was recently a participant in a Citizens Assembly. Has anyone else however noticed a worrying trend to silence anyone who gently challenges anything regarding our political and social system. I have been excluded by the "leader" of a Current Affairs Group for airing issues for example around Climate Change, choosing not to buy from shops which don't pay their fair share of tax and sharing with other members my experiences of protests/demonstrations. I have been a member of this large organisation for many years and have enjoyed many of their diverse groups for older people and this is my first exclusion. Wondering how we are allowing this to happen.

I'm extremely interested in politics. However I tend to avoid posting on the subject in online forums because I am also extremely conflict avoidant and don't wish to attract a virtual lynch mob.

pen50 I totally agree. I am the same!

Nonnie. I agree! It happened to me the first time i tried posting a thread. I responded - politely - to somebody's very biting put-down, which really hurt me and took me by surprise, explaining what I actually said, and in return had myself blamed for being unkind to them! It put me off GNet for quite a while. Then I realised that it was by no means the majority who did this and in fact I have really enjoyed and been grateful for the support of my GNet friends since recovering from that rather bad start!
Politics is an emotional subject though, which is why I always try to make sure people know I respect their views and do not expect people to agree with me. We learn by discussion after all. If anything I have difficulty respecting a person who says they cannot be bothered about politics meaning they do not try to understand what is happening and do not take the responsibility to vote. I do understand, though, how people became worn out by the tedious saga of Brexit which is of course still unresolved.
I couldn't agree more Varian that hearing other people's views in particular those who may vote for a very different Party to that which you support, is of great value. I wish we could hold "current events" discussion groups of the kind we had in the 6th form, when it was the topic not the Party Policy that was the subject, but the means of dealing with it would be examined in the light of different Party attitudes, always with respect for each.
I wish we could have more of a collaborative attitude to Policy making in Parliament and not the adversarial banter and shouting that goes on which is not constructive a lot of the time in my humble op. Our previous MP, now retired, Nick Palmer, used to promote this approach calingl it "Positive Politics".

pen50 and Sparklefizz. That's such a shame! I am so sad that things are like that, although you have my greatest sympathy - see what happened to me when I first posted -on a non-political matter! (previous post above).

It is terribly sad that we in our generation are scared of a virtual lynch mob though, because I feel that at our time of life we should all have learned that no matter what our differences and how differently we feel, we all support each other and respect each other. Having got through the growing up bit, the finding a job, maybe a partner too, working hard, maybe raising a family, possibly tending to aged parents, now maybe coping with aches and pains of old-age and possibly bereavement, we have such a wealth of human experience between us that teaches us that, whatever the colour of our favourite Political Party's flag, we all do share far more than we differ about. It is a time in life to support each other and a great time to show by example how to get along together even when we are from different viewpoints and different ends of the spectrum of whatever you choose the spectrum to be. The only way to make something work is to support each other and move forward together. I shall therefore borrow from our friends across the channel, so heartbroken at this time with the terrible destruction of of Notre Dâme de Paris, and quote:

"Vive la différence!"

Nonnie. Exactly! I can't think who would be interested in standing for an EU seat for the UK knowing that no sooner had they sat down in it they would be jumping up out of it to leave! It's such a bizarre situation! Also the idea of voting for anyone seems hardly worth the trip to the Polling Station, although I imagine our loyal generation will turn out and do our bit as always. I hadn't thought about people voting differently just out of utter frustration! We really are living in crazy times. The rest of Europe must think we are entirely batty.

Crikey blueskies! What kind of "current affairs" is the group taking about if you can't talk about Climate problems! I would love to hear about this and learn more, and to be kept up to date on those evil tax dodgers and to hear about your marches and demos. I can't get out as I'm disabled so feel cut off.
My friend marched for the second referendum and although I would not have done so, (not that I want to leave the EU but I just don't think another referendum will help,) but she sent me pictures and it made me feel like I was part of society again. I love being with vibrant, involved, caring people like you. I just can't get over this person excluding you! It sounds almost sinister to me. Scary! Are we supposed to stay indoors and just do flower-arranging and keep our mouths shut? (I love flower arrangements so absolutely no offence intended).

Weary, divided, makes no difference , BUT mostly I can’t think of one inspiring politician. They all seem to live in a different world, they live in a political bubble and loose sight of the realities of many peoples lives.

You may prefer the comfort of your regular newspaper or social media echo chamber , but political issues are rarely simple and getting your information from a range of sources may open your eyes

Varian I do wish you would stop lecturing us. You can have no idea what any of us choose to read.

I have no idea what any GNetter choses to read, but I do know that newspaper readership was one of the factors most closely correlated with votes in the EU referendum., I also note how many posters claim not to know anyone who voted differently from them. It is always comforting to have your views endorsed and not challenged.

I am very much into politics and have strong views. I haven't shared them much on here though.

I have been actively involved in the background re Brexit and I have also managed to appropriately explain as best as I can about it all to those its worth having s conversation with who voted Brexit.

I will say I am #HardRemain so we need not take that part of the convo any further. Needless to say I have been part of changing peoples mind too.

Alot of action going on behind the scenes too

Not interested and never have been mainly because I don't understand any of it. One side says something I agree with then the other contradicts and I then agree with that so I just opted out years ago!

I don't know why anyone would assume that those who choose not to discuss politics on GN do so because they are uninterested in politics .

I am one of many here for whom Beckett and others speak. I dislike 'know-it-alls' bombarding me with information, because of some misguided assumption that I need to learn . And I intensely dislike being lectured.

Ergo, I keep away from the political threads.

I was taught by my Dad to never discuss polotics or religion, your opinions on both are private to you. I never knew who my parents voted for and don't know who my husband votes for and visa versa.

Nice try Varian.

If this is a genuine question, you will find the answer by reading your previous posts; far too many of your comments are patronising and occasionally insulting: one I particularly remember was a slighting reference to someone as seeming far too well educated to be a Daily Mail reader.

Does it ever occur to you that occasionally you might be the one with the closed mind?

It depends what you mean by politics, Varian. Me, I find the logistics of party politics too confusing. Brexit confuses me.

I always vote if only as a matter of the moral principle that my ancestors suffered so I could do so. Besides that important moral principle I vote on issues, not party.

The most urgent issue is not Brexit but global oil /climate disaster.

I never discuss politics or religion, not with parents, husbands or adult children. I have my own views, I read all sides of the arguments but I don't share my views. Like most people, I don't like being preached at or nagged, especially on here!

I always vote because, as Alexa says, my ancestors suffered so that I could do so and it's a matter of moral principle...... but sharing with the world what or who I vote for?? No.

Varian, please continue to inform grans despite those who have tender egos.

Blueskies, if you are referring to U3A ; the group to which I am due to present a topic next month welcomed dissent which arose immediately when I outlined my thesis at this month's meeting. Maybe you should start your own better informed group that welcome those who are not old sweetie-wives.

Eazybee are you a moderator? Or are just self appointed; the one who reprimands others on the board? Patronising and insulting - wouldn't that apply to your post. I should leave the moderating to the moderators. You halo showing you believe you are "better than" others had just got very rusty.

Very Scottish Alexa - I had to look it up

Sparklefizz, discussion with other people helps me to form my opinions. I ask that I am listened to and that others let me listen to them.

The downside of discussions is that matters of life or death become banal if they are discussed in groups like Gransnet.

Varian specialises in information not preaching.

Varian specialises in information not preaching.

Possibly, Alexa, but my choice is to read everything, absorb, mull over, form my own views and keep it to myself.

Alexa I couldn't agree more. I actually go on a forum where they are very right wing (very - followers of Tommy Robinson, etc) and very pro Brexit and it has been eye opening - the opposite of my views generally. I still find it difficult to understand why they think the way they do but they are those real people who will talk to you as if you must agree or you are not truly British, patriotic, etc. They don't like what I have to say and try to censor my posts but I keep on trying to learn from them and, hopefully pass on another point of view. (Someone might be reading with an open mind)

It has to be said I have found that the extreme left can be just as intransigent and defensive of their views but are generally more prepared to share knowledge and, just about, allow me to have my say too - but I do recognise that might be the inbuilt bias that we all share