Government must have vote on Brexit

Mair, a surprise for you, there are all women short lists to bring women into parliment , nothing wrong with this . You have great knowledge of what was discussed at test particular selection, you even know what was in the CV's. You have no problem with other women MP's who were selected from a woman only short list or you would have complained about those too. You do hsve a problem with Tulip and her skin colour.

Daniel Zeichner and Jeff Smith have also stated they will not vote to trigger Article 50. Both represent strong Remain constituencies, which were LibDem until 2015.

I wonder how Corbyn will reprimand them. I'm not sure what the protocol and rules are. Will they be forced to sit as independents? Triggering by-elections in those constituencies would (I can almost guarantee) result in LibDems' regaining the seats.

The Labour voters I know...

Says more about who you know than the profile of Labour voters.

The Labour voters I know come from all economic backgrounds but are generally highly educated and choose that party because of what they perceive it should stand for: equality, justice, fraternity, decent work and life opportunities, the basic human freedoms for all . Idealistic? Yes!

I am heartened by the huge number of my ex-students(16-19 age group) who have committed themselves to these ideals and express them wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, their voice is not always represented and their leader/s not always effective.

I do hope that the future of Britain is decided with what is best for them in mind, not just older Brits.

Let us not go the way of the USA!

You do talk rubbish, labour voters are not all poverty stricken and only educated to the age of sixteen

I did not say that or imply it Annie. Youre the one talking "rubbish". Again.

Annie

Tulip was selected from an 'all women' list, so already good candidates who happen to be men excluded.

She was also selected over the far more experienced councilor,Sophie Linden, who actually does have a CV, although another career politician I am afraid, and who has gone on to be Londons Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. Tulip is distinctly opaque about her previous 'working' life preferring to focus on her high family connections, and residency in Hampstead.

Mair, you were on the select committee when Tulip was selected?

You do talk rubbish, labour voters are not all poverty stricken and only educated to the age of sixteen.

mair why are the vast majority of your posts so taken up with the "others" in U.K.

Today of all days perhaps it would be expedient to give it a rest?

Ana yes, certainly, but I would say in the case of the Labour party which purports to defend the less well off, that such people should be well represented in parliament. The idea that 'well meaning' upper class types are qualified to speak for them is patronising nonsense!

That is happening less and less, as the young career politicians coming through are increasingly from middle class and even from upper class backgrounds like Tulip. Such people should certainly not be given preference because they happen to be the 'right' skin colour.

Mair presumably to have made that last remark about the Labour select committees you have sat on one and so have inside info?

rinouchka I am also surprised at mairs remark..

Politics of division. Recognise it?? Based on alternative facts.

I don't see why they should be favouring people from any particular group. Shouldn't selection be based on personal qualities, beliefs, ethics etc?

"one is either British or not British"

Youre wrong Annie. This country, far from adopting such a 'race blind' policy favours those of foreign ethnic descent in many situations, including, and which is relevant to this thread, Labour selection committees.

There is a long history of Labour MPs from affluent backgrounds

Certainly is, and increasingly a dearth of them from the backgrounds of the people they are supposed to represent, mockingly portrayed in anniebachs post's very dated stereotype of people "from council estates with fathers who bred whippets and pigeons".

Labour should be represented by far more people from poor backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity, and I was taking a swipe at the injustice of people like Tulip from an extremely priviledged elite background being favoured by selection committees on the grounds of race/ethnicity, when they should instead be favouring those from workign class backgrounds.

There is a long history of Labour MPs from affluent backgrounds- the late, great Tony Benn for example. This idea that only the working class are Labour supporters is a myth that has been pedalled around for a long time. It just isn't true, there has always been a caring, sharing section of society, quite often linked to the arts, who believe that wealth is to be shared and that equality of opportunity and support for the weakest is an essential part of a civilised society.

I do dislike the use of native Brits, one is either British or not British

I must add that we have many friends in the Hampstead area of various ethnicities, including "native Brits" and not all "luvvies"...and they all support their MP.

I don't think it was because their behaviour was outrageous, it was simply because of their Euroscepticism - Major wasn't getting it all his own way.

Am I the only one to be somewhat disconcerted by Mair's comment (00.45.14) regarding Tulip's ethnicity as compared to the less favoured "native Brits competing with them in front of selection committees" ?

In what way does this juxtaposition make the situation clearer?

No'p not when you look back at their behaviour. I remember one Tory PM calling them bastards because their behaviour was so outrageous.

Only the quite old ones, plenty of younger ones, the Thatcher years were a very long time ago.
Labour rabble/Tory rabble.....all a bit meaningless.

Aren't the majority the same people -I can remember IDS antics very well, plus many others.

You mean Tory rabble? since Brexit didn't exist back then.

Take consolation annie nothing the Labour Party is doing to each other at the moment is remotely anywhere near the Brexit rabble during the Thatcher and Major years.

I always wanted a Father who would breed whippets.