Is the sexual orientation of a judge relevent?

Mazie- in terms of financial crises, i would think the Great Depression was the worst we've faced (though we were in severe trouble on more than one occasion in the 70s and ended up going cap in hand for bailouts to the IMF). For divisiveness, I would think the worst periods were the general strike in 1926 and the miners' strike in the 80s. Jess- i'm also worried about the effects of Brexit. I'm what you might call a miserable optimist. Anyway, I'm glad to see you are laughing.

And look where the depression got us... WW2
I think we feel far more divided now than during the miners' strike

I did think of the Depression, Fitzy, but although it was probably an early manifestation of the downside of globalisation, it didn't hit the whole country equally, some sectors did perfectly well despite it and we had the Empire to fall back on. I think that the problems of the 70s were part of post WW2 problems and loss of Empire. MacMillan might have said "We've never had it so good" but he was a politician, wasn't he

Yes, he was probably right in one way, as the Welfare State offered people previously unheard of security and kept money flowing through the system, but it was at a cost, as we discovered in the 70s.

What I do recall was that we were practically begging to be let into the Common Market...

For sheer divisiveness I think the Brexit vote will have a long lasting impact; the General Strike was over and done with in a relatively short period of time.

I agree with JessM about the miners' strike. I'm sure it left a lasting impression on the people involved, but I can't say it made me feel divided in the same way that Brexit has done.

Maizie you are mixing up decades.MacMillan said that famous quote during the 1950's.The 70's problems were nothing to do with WW2 in any way or loss of Empire.
But we did have many problems due to the unions flexing muscles, remember the flying pickets etc it was a mess round about that time.

The 70s economic crisis was caused by the Arab embargo on oil sales to the USA and Western Europe after the Yom KIppur War.

Details in the link below, which is from the Guardian so utterly to be relied on

www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/mar/03/1970s-oil-price-shock

The trigger for the 70s economic crisis was the oil crisis, but the UK was already in trouble, because its industry was antiquated and we had been bumbling along for years thinking that we still lived in a pre-war industrial era with an empire. Japan and Germany had to start from scratch with new industry, new political structures and new social attitudes. Germany and France also benefited from post-war co-operation on a scale they had never dreamed of before, supported by the US, which wanted a buffer against communism and a market for its own goods.

The UK received the highest proportion of US aid under the Marshall plan. A long story but we wasted ours.

We did manage to pay it back to the US eventually - a long time later. Not many people realise that it was not a gift, it was a loan, with interest.

I think that was something slightly different, Elegran. The US lent us money to buy arms and other equipment (Lend Lease), which wasn't all paid back until about 2006. Marshal Plan funding was different and intended to boost the post-war economy. Fitzy is right. The UK received more than any other country, but we squandered it.

It was in the form of a loan,albeit on good terms. A lot of the Marshall plan aid was in the form of non reusable grants, Apparantly the US didn't realise just how broke we were. We borrowed £3bn+ from the US and the Canadians topped it up with another £1bn+.

Paul Mason calls on Mumsnet posters to oppose Farage's march...

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/07/bond-traders-trots-mumsnet-left-centre-farages-mob

Well, Gransnetters are sort of an older version of Mumsnetters.

This is frightening, the marching on the court idea. A year ago there was a small group of fascists - 2 or 3 dozen at most demonstrating near here in a sleepy Welsh market town. There was a counter demonstration with around 400 of us - MPs, other politicians, clergy etc.
Londoners need to replicate this please to show that the rule of law is respected in this country. Please.
I note that the term "political class" has been bandied about by Trump in his frenzied "anti-establishment" campaign.
And that Prince Harry has been complaining bitterly about the untrammelled vulgarity and insensitivity of the press. And that he "gets it" when they use subtle racism. Just like the OP on this thread - subtly homophobic.

Do you really think it's a good idea to encourage a counter-demonstration in London Jess?

The numbers involved would be rather larger than in a Welsh market town and the likelihood of violence ensuing would be high, I'd have thought.

LOL well I don't suppose anything that I post on GN will cause civil unrest Ana But sometimes it is important for those respecting liberty, democracy and the rule of law to stand up and be counted when these are under threat. Cable Street led to legislation against uniformed political organisations and was a turning point in the rise of Moseley's facist movement
I do wonder whether Farage would be given permission to hold the kind of demonstration he is boasting about. He would have to get the permission and agreement for demonstrating in Parliament Square (which is where the supreme court is situated).
In our relatively tiny demonstration in an obscure area of Wales the police had in place a detailed and comprehensive plan to keep both sides apart. The whole town centre more or less closed for the day and lots of ordinary families turned up to watch what was going on!

Combine it with the walkout for all immigrant workers. That should prove interesting.

I'm sure a good time was had by all, Jess.

the last thing the country needs are ANY demonstrations just at the moment, because as likely or not it would end in violence all round, shops having to close, and extra police being called in at great expense.

Perhaps you should tell Farage that. After all he's the one who is trying to whip up antagonism against the judges.

Isn't he trying to whip up antagonism to the judges' decision rather than the judges themselves? Let's not confuse the issue. We don't need to stoop to DM level.

He has every right to be antagonistic and to express his antagonism to the decision, just as other people have every right to be supportive of it and to express their support.

The Daily Mail piece was bad journalism. Why is anyone surprised? Has bad journalism never reared its head in the vicinity of that publication before?

Bad journalism is allowed in this country too. Freedom of the press (even the bad press) is just as important as freedom of the judiciary. I support both.

As for Farage... shrug. He's doing what Farage does. Just as the DM did what the DM does and the judges did what they do.

Free expression for ALL, I say. Even people whose views I hate. Bad ideas are not overcome by suppressing them.

I absolutely agree bags but in a free society there are rules that should never be crossed. So yes freedom of speech but definitely tempered with wisdom and care.

Free expression for me as well? In that case I can say what I like, too. The judges have had to go into hiding.

Have they, jen?

Good post bags I agree completely.