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Why the reluctance to answer questions and face the real electorate ?

(244 Posts)
James2451 Fri 02-Jun-17 12:14:20

This morning Teresa May had an opportunity to speak on Woman's Hour, just a few days after criticising Jeremy Corbyn's performance in the programme. Yet once again she has hopped out of any real discussions on her uncosted policies and previous statements.

We must have all seen her reluctance to have a face to face with the electorate as she crosses the Country, the majority are staged photo events with her own faithful. I have not as yet seen any interview with journalists where she has fully answered the questions put to her.
Is she really expecting the electorate to give her their vote to negotiate in Europe and most of all to run this Country when she is deliberately being so evasive in having face to face discussions the way Corby has done? Before the election I did not think I would ever vote for Corbyn but now May is changing my views.

Rather than have tribal type responses can we please have constructive analyse of the likely real reason for her reluctant attitudes.

daphnedill Fri 02-Jun-17 22:54:58

Diabetes affects the whole endocrine system. Stress and anxiety increase the production of adrenaline and cortisol, which cause blood sugar levels to rise. T1 diabetics can compensate by injecting more insulin, but miscalculations can lead to hypos. I don't suppose TM is able to follow a rigid diet, which will almost certainly cause her problems.

I'm not sure that T1 diabetes does get worse with age, but the side effects certainly accumulate.

In any case, this is speculation. Whatever the reason for TM avoiding interviews and ducking direct question, it's not acceptable, especially for somebody who called the election in the first place and tried to appear "strong and stable".

durhamjen Fri 02-Jun-17 22:45:21

Yes, thanks, whitewave.

No type 1 diabetics there, although I was married to one for 45 years.

whitewave Fri 02-Jun-17 22:37:19

I know dj but Miss Pedant finds it amusing.

Hope you enjoyed your evening

durhamjen Fri 02-Jun-17 22:32:03

I agree, Rigby.

Diabetes becomes more severe the older you get.

Lazigirl Fri 02-Jun-17 22:09:47

Absolutely spot on Rigby46

GracesGranMK2 Fri 02-Jun-17 22:03:02

That post certainly speaks for me Rigby.

Rigby46 Fri 02-Jun-17 21:39:12

Maizie spot on - the very idea she believes in democracy is risible - she called a bloody unnecessary election against the Fixed Term Parliament Act and her reason was because there was parliamentary opposition to Brexit ( which was a lie anyway- she got A50 through with no problems). She has gambled with the future of this country and for what - just supposing, just supposing there were a hung parliament with Breixit negotiations to start in days? What an absolutely irresponsible act in calling this election - how arrogant, how stupid - a so called leader who believes in democracy who listens only to Fiona, Nick and Lynton??? I've read some stupid posts on GN but one saying she believes in democracy takes the proverbial MN biscuit. History will never forgive DC for calling the referendum and it could be that she will not be forgiven for calling this election. Both did it for party (and the personal) above and before country. All these weeks of campaigning and all that effort which could have gone into not only trying to come up with a Brexit strategy but could also have started trying to address the huge problems facing social care, education, housing and health. And don't feed me that lie that a good Brexit deal will lead to economic prosperity which in turn will solve all those problems in the long run. As Keynes said 'in the long run we are all dead'

Anniebach Fri 02-Jun-17 21:26:12

I missed May and Rudd appearing at an interview together

whitewave Fri 02-Jun-17 21:21:22

ggsmile

I am not watching the debate as I can't bear it. I record it and whizz through.

GracesGranMK2 Fri 02-Jun-17 21:12:44

I shouldn't worry about her age whitewave. According to my mother May is too young to know what we needsmile

My biggest worry was brought out when she and Amber Rudd where laughed at. Look at our record - people did and burst out laughing. She has no idea how other people live and what her government - which has been in power for 7 years let us remember - has done to so many people.

Lazigirl Fri 02-Jun-17 21:12:42

She's on BBC "Leaders Debate" just now and has squirmed and struggled to justify this government's lack of expenditure on NHS and mental health. She is being asked questions but not being challenged on her replies.

MaizieD Fri 02-Jun-17 21:12:26

And she appears to believe in democracy

I'm afraid that is the sticking point for many people. Yes, she appears to believe in 'democracy' in a 'the will of the people'sort of way but an essential plank of our 'democracy' is that it is a representative democracy which is expressed through Parliament. And she has not, so far, appeared to believe in that. She has done her best to bypass parliament or to curtail its powers and her proposal to use 'Henry VIII' powers in respect of amending EU based legislation is just an extension of her dealings with Parliament so far. It demonstrates, at worst, a desire to establish a dictatorship or, at best, a contempt for, or lack of understanding of, how a representative, Parliamentary, democracy should work.

She is known to be controlling and unable to deal with dissent. I feel that her unwillingness to engage in open debate stems from an inability to argue her case because she has had very little practice in doing so.

Ana Fri 02-Jun-17 21:06:18

'severe'! grin Can you have 'severe' diabetes?

whitewave Fri 02-Jun-17 21:05:45

norosegrin he couldn't be more different.

norose4 Fri 02-Jun-17 21:03:19

Any one rember Billy Graham , an example of an enigmatic person who attracted the devotion of multitudes of people?! But delivered nothing except dissalutionment , I think Mr Corbyn falls into that category

Jalima1108 Fri 02-Jun-17 20:58:19

If she looked unwell the other day it could be because of all kinds of reasons - tiredness, a bug, anything. None of us are on top form all the time; perhaps JC has just been lucky that he has not succumbed to whatever is going round.
Perhaps his jam has hidden properties.

Iam64 Fri 02-Jun-17 20:55:37

Could it be that Theresa Maybis following the advice of her key strategists and Lynton Crosby?
Her campaign has been dire. I'm reluctant to blame her health because I'm one of many who enjoyed a long and I hope productive working life at the same time as managing chronic health problems. I suspect she's feeling highly anxious and possibly depressed. She called this election when she was twenty points ahead and seemed set for a landslide. It's gone horribly wrong. It's late in the day to change her strategy but how else can she reassure the electorate and her party that she can thin and respond effectively, on her feet. So far, we haven't seen any indication of that. id have expected anyone in politics to have greater ability than simply to deliver a decent pre written speech. I'm not a Tory but until this election campaign id felt she looked like the prime minister, much as I disliked her governments policies.
Jeremy Corbyn is having a good campaign, his manifesto seems more popular than hers. His straightforward, meet and talk campaign is gong well
Who'd have predicted it? TM looks increasingly uncomfortable and she needs some better advice as well as to talk to ordinary voters

Jalima1108 Fri 02-Jun-17 20:54:55

Tony Benn had a longstanding condition which he managed well.

whitewave Fri 02-Jun-17 20:54:13

Exactly maizie whether we agree May is a good or hopeless leader. There can be little doubt that her condition(hope that makes you happy ana) makes it very difficult and I get the impression that her diabetes is pretty severe. That is something that must be taken into account when you need to operate at top form

Jane10 Fri 02-Jun-17 20:53:38

Baggs well said!

Jalima1108 Fri 02-Jun-17 20:53:25

I don't think she did the right thing calling an election and she has not been put in this position before now - electioneering is extremely stressful and I agree that someone who is good at electioneering may not be the best politician but more of a showman - sorry showperson.

Look at how many politicians leave politics and become showbiz personalities or are on the world stage giving lectures, which is essentially just another performance.

Anniebach Fri 02-Jun-17 20:51:01

So David Blunkett should not have entered politics because he blind?

Gordon Brown should not have entered politics because he has lost the sight in one eye - who can forget the sun newspaper movking him for this.

I would think May's medical advisors are better qualified to judge her ability for the stresses of the job than some here.

Abbott must be suffering often with migraines

norose4 Fri 02-Jun-17 20:48:49

Brilliantly put Baggs

MaizieD Fri 02-Jun-17 20:46:54

My late M-i-L had diabetes;I'm not sure if it was type 1 or type 2. She checked her blood sugar levels daily and injected insulin at least twice a day. She was fine most of the time but if she was stressed in any way it played havoc with her blood sugar levels and she became hypoglycemic very quickly. I thought this might have been specific to her but I have just checked and it is a well known phenomenon.

The GE campaign is not going at all well for May. Her stress levels must be high. It can't be helping her to manage her condition.

Ana Fri 02-Jun-17 20:45:45

Hear, hear Baggs.