Anyone understand why Johnson is so far ahead in the polls?

Galaxy

But arent you doing the same thing you are complaining about baggs. You cant understand how people might see your post as patronising, (I dont have any strong views on that either way) but you seem to be finding it difficult to understand that some people might take it that way.

On the contrary, galaxy, I did understand why some people might find my post patronising once it was pointed out, though it wasn't intended to be such. That's why I asked how to explain/describe what I was trying to describe in a way that wouldn't be thought patronising.

Further to the argument I was making: it's not difficult, at least, I haven't found it so, to understand why Corbyn was popular, or Nicola Sturgeon. Even people who don't agree with them can do that, and I've seen plenty of that in the news media I read (I don't have a TV), so why not do the same on Johnson's account? I tried to explain why it's a good idea, and presumably failed, but the argument is a very common debating and philosophical one so it never occurred to me that the idea would be seen as patronising.

Razzy I think you are spot on regarding the furlough situation, many people I know have had the advantage of furlough, managed to save and have more family time.

It will be interesting to see how many will be able to return to their employment once furlough finally ends? The unemployment figures will probably rise.

(As a Company we have been bringing more employees in each month)

Probably because a) he played a blinder getting our vaccine supplies secured and actually vaccinating the population and b) Tory governments notoriously handle tricky economic situations better than the opposition parties. Plus most people are on furlough which is a very good deal considering the dire effect Covid has had on the economy.

How incredibly boring and grey the UK would be if we were all identikit voters.

I agre. Brilliant post Vampirequeen The sad thing is that many people who suffer from some of the disadvantages you mention will be supporting Johnson.

I can sort of understand why many people like Johnson - what I don't understand is why they continue to support the Tories. We are heading for austerity as soon as covid is under control in the UK.

Anybody that would have been in charge during the current pandemic, unless they left the country at the first sniff and controlled the country from a distance would be on the top of the polls at the moment (who do they ask and where do they ask?)
You only have to look around the world and speak to people that live in different countries that you will see he could be a whole lot worse!

I think that Johnson's appeal is similar to that of Trump's. When Trump talked about pussy etc etc there were thousands of American men who wanted to do the same.

Brilliant post vampirequeen

Urmstongran

Interesting Alegrias.
I suppose that Boris, when delivering his Latin ‘Bon mots’ (that’s French so I’m muddled already - he’s jocular, knows he’s entertaining us so we don’t mind. It’s all about context.

Entertaining? You cannot be serious.

I think that Boris's private life much as it may offend older people and middle England probably gives him a certain appeal to a certain class (call it working class if you like). It's a section of society where serial relationships are common and the offspring of those relationships are just accepted. He is in other words just like them, add to that his Brexit opinion, his TV personality and even his poshness (think that TV programme about Chelsea) all make him appealing
And when people are turned off politics and politicians (they're all the same) what is there left to vote for but the personality?

I understood that bit Baggs I didn't understand the teachers bit. Never mind.

Let's all move on. Leave me happily in my understanding rut, moaning on in my crabby way.....

Exactly Galaxy

But arent you doing the same thing you are complaining about baggs. You cant understand how people might see your post as patronising, (I dont have any strong views on that either way) but you seem to be finding it difficult to understand that some people might take it that way.

They aren’t “moaning on” they are discussing the pros and cons of having Boris Johnson as PM.

Alegrias1

Baggs

Alegrias1

Patronising, much, Baggs?

Excellent post vampirequeen

Teacher mode, alegrias. Your posts often give the impression you were taught that too.

I have no idea what this means.

Supposing I accept that my post above comes across as patronising to some people, how do you suggest one should put across the idea of trying to understand something you are opposed to, about which you hold opposing views, so as not to come across as patronising?

Of course, everyone is free to moan on to their heart's content. It just seems a bit pointless and crabby to me.

Baggs excellent post!

Yes, excellent post, VQ.

I think it would be more useful if people discussed the things you've touched on and perhaps explained how things they think need to be 'put right' can be done by the party of their choice. I'm sure that there are right wingers who share at least some of these concerns who could explain how their party could address them.

It could be more productive than defending or denigrating the PM.

Baggs

Alegrias1

Patronising, much, Baggs?

Excellent post vampirequeen

Teacher mode, alegrias. Your posts often give the impression you were taught that too.

I have no idea what this means.

I’m not sure that disagreeing with a standpoint constitutes not understanding it.

I would have thought the very opposite was true.

Alegrias1

Patronising, much, Baggs?

Excellent post vampirequeen

Teacher mode, alegrias. Your posts often give the impression you were taught that too.

Being able to understand things you don't like or that you disagree with is an art that it's worth pursuing.

Because there is no credible opposition.

And how can a country with a population of 60+ million not produce any sort of opposition

Perhaps those wailing about no opposition would care to explain, in detail, what the opposition is supposed to do in view of an 80 seat majority, very little exposure in the popular press and an 'opponent' who doesn't play by the usual parliamentary rules?

What would you like to see?

Patronising, much, Baggs?

Excellent post vampirequeen

This thread is an interesting illustration of the phenomenon of its being very hard to understand something you simply don't want to understand. The title of the thread asks if anyone understands something and quite a lot of people explain why or how they understand that thing, but there remain obdurates who just can't give these explanations any credence.

I find it odd because I don't think you have to like or approve of Boris on a personal or political level, nor to like the reasons people give for his polling popularity to understand why those poll ratings remain high.

I suppose it's one of those "I just can't understand it" moments. In spite of the obvious clues, and more than clues, the "I just can't understand it!" feeling prevails in the people who couldn't work it out for themselves in the first place.

I'd hate to be in an understanding rut like that. I understand the side of the people who don't understand it, after all. Come on, folks, get your head round it and maybe put your efforts into improving the opposition or something else useful.

Kamiso

vampirequeen

Because many people are stupid?

Because left wingers hurl insults like this at people who don’t vote in the way they think they should. Would guess it’s lack of faith in Starmer and the angry and aggressive members of the Labour Party as much as anything. The prejudiced, so called socialists, are more concerned with their own vendettas than the people who used to vote for them.

Keep it up though, if you don’t want to form the govt in coming decades.

From one comment you assume I'm a left winger and prejudiced.

Maybe I am prejudiced if that means I don't want a proven liar to be the PM of this country. I want MPs who want to serve the people. Not MPs who see the job as a side line that they can do whilst still working in other industries/professions. I want MPs to be subject to stringent honesty rules. I don't care who sleeps with who as long as they don't lie about it. I don't think MPs should benefit from being MPs other than by receiving their salary and expenses to run their offices. I don't care if they employ their wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend as their secretary as long as they're honest about it and the person really does the job for which they're being paid. I want people who honestly care about the people of this country and want to serve their fellow citizens and make the UK a better place to live.

Left wing...is that because I think:
The poor, weak and vulnerable need supporting
There should be more truly affordable housing for purchase and/or rent. There should be good quality housing available for everyone. No one should be homeless whether that's living on the streets or sofa surfing.
No child should go hungry
No one should have to choose between food and heat
Necessary utilities and transport should be owned by the country and run for the benefit of the people not for the benefit of shareholders
All children should receive quality education that not only prepares them to work in a modern society but also encourages a love of learning and the ability to think for themselves rather than training them to jump through hoops.
Poverty should not exist in a rich country like ours
That a child's life chances don't rely on where and to whom they were born.
The NHS should be properly funded. No one should profit from someone else being ill. I have nothing against private health care but it should be separate from the NHS. By all means pay extra for health care but the NHS should be funded sufficiently to offer the world class care that it is capable of.

We are a rich country. To have any of our people homeless, hungry or uncared for is a disgrace.

If that makes me a left winger then I'm proud to be left wing.