Are our views always entrenched?

Bon voyage, Elegran and Bags and anyone else who managed to scramble aboard. I baled out some time ago. See you when you reach safe haven!

Crabs???

Rowing term, Gracesmum for when the oar does not dip deep enough into the water and does not do any work, just makes a lot of splashing, and quite often the rower then falls over backwards off the seat because they are pulling against no resistance. I suppose it is catching a crab because all the splashing is like a crab escaping and flailing around as it hits the water - who knows?

Well I bailed out ages ago!

ah!! Just seen the double entendre, Gracesmum Not intended, I assure you. These crabs are crustaceans, though only metaphorical ones. Wondered why you were blushing over rowing.

Maybe families living in bedsits could be put on boats at sea, like those private prisons - and join you lot

granjura

Which makes me think that all of what could be said, has been said.

Conclusion, yes, people from the very left and the very right do have entrenched views. Some but perhaps few are trying to look beyond the divisive left and right- and try to find ways to go forwards, irrespective f entrenched politics. Because at the end of the day (I know - annoying expression) - that is the only way to go. The UK will either work together and attempt to close the huge divide - or sink. I am full of hope, as I have grand-children growing up there, so it matters hugely to me. Bonne chance UK.

I don't believe for one minute that granjura was being serious about sending families out to sea, gracesmum. Why is everyone giving her such a hard time?

Of course I didn't Anna. Don't worry about me - maybe it is because their views are entrenched? But thanks and thanks to all who have sent me pms but just were too worried about posting openly.

No I wasn't giving her a hard time, I honestly felt this thread had run its course. Assumed it was a joke.

I agree with Ana
It's a shame but not surprising that some people are worried about posting openly.

Not worried about supporting your middle of the road views openly Jura

Surely it defeats the object of a thread if people feel the need to post "in secret".

I agree it's a shame about not posting openly - defeats the pbject of a discussion forum, but still sense the thread has run its course.

Good grief - object - fingers all over the place.

Turn that one on its head Gorki ... Some people are worried about posting in open forum as Merlot said. Can't imagine why

I tried a while back to throw out some real suggestions for discussion to solve the housing problems but they must have been too stupid as no-one took them up...

I am glad I went to the cinema tonight and for a yummy meal at Jamie's. I'd like to get in the boat too but think I might sink it..throw me a lifebelt and drag me along!

Before the red sails of this thread vanish into the sunset, can we get rid of the notion that members of the Cabinet "all went to the SAME public school" (*Greatnan*)?

Of the 22 full Members of the Cabinet, eleven went to grammar schools or their Scottish equivalent, two went to comprehensives, and nine to independent schools. Of those nine only one, David Cameron, went to Eton.

Of the ten further Ministers who also attend cabinet meetings, two went to comprehensives and the remaining eight went to independent schools. Of these, two, Sir George Young and Oliver Letwin, went to Eton.

Taking the 32 together, there are three Old Etonians, two from Westminster, and two from Nottingham High School (one from when it was a direct grant grammar school and one after it was fully independent). [Source: Wikipedia.]

Perhaps the sheer noise emanating from Boris Johnson (not even an MP) gives the impression that Eton and Bullingdon are ubiquitous.

Grumppa good knowledge and/or research. That's scuppered 'em

Interesting!

Gosh Aka I do feel you always appear to prefer 'point scoring' rather than being keen to discuss the real issues.

It is interesting to read the breakdown of the educational background of cabinet, Osbourne went to St Paul's I believe.

However the fact remains they are not representative of the majority of the population and probably few cabinets have been. I think that the increase of the 'career' politician rather than the 'work your way up' through grass roots is part of the reason politics is so narrow nowadays.

bluebell made a good point back there! About why profit made when selling a house (due to the house price going up (when they did!) is not taxed as income, when money earned through a person's job is taxed (income tax).

It's all income, isn't it?