I might vote Tory but that doesn't make me a bad person

I'd forgotten G. Jackson. Always looked very stressy as a politician. You know, on the edge. DC always had the ear of people because he was an easy talker. Milliband was so odd, you couldn't look at him, therefore nobody listened.

Glenda Jackson always looked very stressy as a politician. You know, on the edge. Can't say that I noticed that.

DC always had the ear of the people. Really?

Milliband was so odd, you couldn't look at him. I'm no fan of Milliband and am not surprised that Labour lost the election but I wouldn't say that you couldn't look at him!

Strange comments IMO.

I thought that GJ was very well thought of as a back bencher - what on earth does 'on the edge mean'? DC 'always had the ear' . Miliband was 'so odd you couldn't look at him' . Is this supposed to be a contribution to political debate?

The man with the ear of the people couldn't even remember which football team he supported.

Memory loss doesn't detract from the fact that he's a good speaker!

GT how rude jo1 is allowed to say what she thinks.

Good post Day6, you've certainly explained and justified your position! Welcome

I hate to say this but I agree with the comment about Ed . And I've heard several people say the same. At the time of the leadership election, had I still been a member of the Labour Party I would have voted for him as he seemed like a visionary but, over the past few years I've felt more and more uncomfortable about him. Speaking to a friend on the phone the other week she said she didn't like the idea of him representing us on the world stage. I don't like to say this and I still voted Labour but I've got to be honest about it. He tended to stumble over his words as well. The leaders of all of the other parties were far more polished; he made me feel uncomfortable .

Of course Jo is and so am I and fwiw I think making comments on how people look rather than on the issues of what they believe in or stand for is incredibly rude and adds nothing to a discussion - in fact it detracts from whatever you might want to say.

Tegan - do you really think no one looked at him and no one listened? I think the point you make about oratory is relevant but polish can be dangerous can't it?

The exact opposite to Day6 happened with my husband when he was ill and had to rely on benefits under a Labour government.
It was decided in 1997 that he would never be able to work again, and he was given disability benefits for the rest of his life.
So we can all give examples of what happened under Labour or Tory governments to suit.

I agree with you, GrannyTwice. People complain about the media remarking on how women who want to be taken seriously dress, etc. Remarking on a person's looks is in the same vein. Cameron's only other job has been in PR so of course he looks good. It's what he saysd that worries me.

So, Tegan, who do want to take over from Ed? I notice Hilary Benn has not been mentioned as a possible successor. Who do you think will be able to goad Cameron the best, and make him explode at PMQs?

That's the most important part of the job-description, is it? How petty...

Of course it's petty, as are the comments on how Ed Miliband looks.

I don't get the 'so odd you couldn't look at him' remark at all (apart from agreeing with Grannytwice that I think it's incredibly rude). I liked to hear him speak, not necessarily when giving a speech, but when interviewed. I thought he came across as sincere and having a sense of humour. He never seemed to get rattled by all the personal insults but seemed able to laugh at himself. He has a very loyal fan club amongst young women, apparently!

Yes, the 'Milifans'. They're all heartbroken about his resignation.

I'm sure he's very flattered by the adoration of the Milifans. Compared to that, what does he care what a few old women on gransnet think of his appearance

I think eloquence is very important in politics. But even that most eloquent of politicians, Robin Cook used to say 'my face is against me'. Thus far I can't say that any of the Labour leadership candidates seem very inspiring. I wish we could go back to having elder statesmen of the Smith and Callaghan type who don't have to walk around holding hands with their wives.

Exactly. He probably doesn't care any more than DC cares when he's mocked for looking like a red-faced Iggle Piggle, or Danny Alexander did when he was likened to Beaker from The Muppets!

Oh yes Ana - I saw those comments about DC and DA week after week on the front page of the DM and the Sun. The issue is not so much do the politicians care but that the press do it to make the electorate think it matters. And what do you know, some of them end up thinking it does.

Ana

'The Ginger Rodent'.

That was so kind a remark Hariett Harmen made about LibDem Danny Alexander wasn't it. Oh how they laughed !

I think some need to think about the remarks made about Eric Pickles and Michael Gove on GN let alone in the House of Parliament..

I think the worst I ever witnessed was the opposition benches, well the Labour MP's not the others, literally taking the mick out of the conservative MP Paul Maynard who has cerebral palsy. Now that is a disgrace.

None of that was acceptable POGs but the fact it happened doesn't detract from the fact that it's wrong here as well. We should all be better than that

Oh dear. Cat among the pigeons! Can't claim the "odd" remark for myself. Coined by Kevin Macquire of The Mirror on breakfast TV. How about, not happy in his own skin (The Times). Macquire, a staunch leftwinger, said the next leader must be charismatic to be listened to. Sorry I can't find a post for all the insults hurled at poor Ed. Too many pages. But he loves his Wife and children. Bless.

And they love him as well. Which makes him a rich man. It still doesn't make personal comments acceptable, against anyone, and Ed has come in for them relentlessly throughout his leadership. As older people we should have learnt how wrong that is by now.

Hmm...the DM and the Sun. Aren't they supposed to be Tory-supporting newspapers? Seems an odd thing for them to have on their front pages, insulting comments about the appearance of members of the coalition government.

No, it was the newspaper review. I may have got the paper wrong, but the remarks came from the Labour viewpoint, and they are right. Personal insults are part of the game - look at the Cartoons in the Press and acceptable in the modern age of Image. Although I do see why pensioners find it difficult to handle. It's a very tough age we live in and don't you think the people being insulted don't know it themselves.
I have been called a Bossy Old Cow with the look of Medusa! Bring it on.