Grandee or Political Has-Been?

I loved Dennis Healey's "being criticised by Geoffrey Howe is like being savaged by a dead sheep" it was a blinder Although on opposite sides of the house, I believe they were mates, I like to think of them both having a chortle about Dennis' levity over lunch and a glass or two

Oh yes, a dead sheep , thank you. Brown has passion, this lack of passion could be the reason many have lost interest in politicians , Cammeron is guilty of starting this with his pre scripted PMQ's , well rehearsed jokes.

I want passion

Could Farage be described as a "Has never been"??

absent unfortunately he has had much influence for a never-wozza (great term)!

Sorry!! Typo - never-wozzer

Presumably a never-wozza is the female version.

Still impressed by Betty Boothroyd.

Whenever their "grandee" behaviours gets to me I just imagine them sitting on the loo with their trousers round their ankles. Brings everything into perspective.

At least Grandees have at some time been elected. It is people like Alastair Campbell that annoy me - megalomaniacs who want to run the country from a back room with no accountability. I am convinced that he, and his cohorts, cause 90% of the problems in the Labour party. He has now set up a group to try to overturn Brexit.

The BBC has got to have someone to interview I guess half the electorate is asking themselves who these people are, they don't seem to able to realise when their pet political idea has had its time. I wonder how many people stopped in the street would know who Paddy Ashdown is. To be powerless now must be horrid for all those listed so far.

Nick Clegg, pompous, and a holier than though.

My nominations:

Michael Heseltine, Kenneth Clarke - Grandees. Big personalities, identities outside of politics (business interests, suede shoes, jazz fan). Memorable in some way.

Big Beasts - Betty Boothroyd, Denis Healy, Gordon Brown, Shirley Wulliams. People with passion, integrity and grit.

Entertainers - Ed Balls, Farage, Boris, Kinnock, Paddy Pantsdown, Blair, Prezza, Thatcher; politicians who translate well into Spitting Image puppets. Memorable for many reasons, but not always the right ones!

I disagree with Kinnock in your list gettingonabit, this man fought the militants who tried to take over the party, took over as leader when the party was cast into the wilderness, he had to rebuild the party at the same time battle with thatcher and vicious attacks from the Tory press. You compare him with Farage?

Gove Gove and Gove

Triplets?

My list:

Rt Hon the Lord Carrington 98yrs
Rt Hon Baroness Trumpigton 95 yrs
Rt Hon Baroness Masham 82 yrs

Too old to stay awake so should be allowed to retire with grace and make room for young blood imo.

If you really know Kenneth Clarke I am surprised you said that. He talks a lot of sense and is a good man. Just because he is getting on a bit does not mean he is a has-been. I wish he was in power now.

Those who have been classed as has beens were MP's for years, I think their experience and knowledge gained is needed, no matter which party.

He'd probably hate to be thought a grandee, but I've a lot of admiration for Dennis Skinner, a man of principle. There aren 't enough of those around.

Yes Nigel Farage most annoying man. Feel like I want to stuff a sink in his mouth.

Should say sock. Oops

Sink will do!!!

ab of course I appreciate what Kinnock has done. I actually think he was always underrated as a politician and particularly as regards what he did for the Labour Party. However I still think he has entertainment value; falling in the sea in Brighton being just one of his more interesting moments, not forgetting that particularly cringe worthy moment at Sheffield .

Let's face it, he's done pretty well since along with numerous other Kinnocks.

Let's face it, he's done pretty well out

Too many "let's face its" there!

So glad someone remembered Dennis Skinner, Beast of Bolsover.

Numerous other Kinnocks? You don't think his wife and son should be involved in politics because he is?

I thought this was supposed to be light-hearted....