Prince William selling the Big Issue

So William was “spotted”, more like an arranged photo shoot. Also no mention of how long he was there for, half an hour, an hour or just long enough to get his picture taken?

I can think of 3 reasons for him to be selling the Big Issue.

Firstly, to raise money for the homeless. But I suspect that him actually making a donation from his many millions would help more, Plus, its meant to be homeless people who are selling it so he's undermining that.

Secondly, to understand what its like to sell the Big Issue on the streets. So a sort of "Henry V mixes with his army the night before battle" vibe there. That's possible.

Or thirdly, his PR team want people to think he really understands what its like to be homeless; "look, here he is selling the Big Issue."

We should have a poll.

In the town nearest to me, there is a big issue seller that has been doing it for about 10 years. Most people give him money but do not take the magazine. He can afford to smoke and has the latest iPhone so does well from it. I often wonder why he has not just got a job in that time.

Well I suppose if you think 'Retired Met Police Ch Supt Matthew Gardner' is telling bare faced lies about his brother-in-law...............

Last post to jacqrose I hadn't refreshed the page.

Well that's a record. From Royalty to scroungers in just 4 posts.

Sorry - forgot to say.

Selling the Big Issue is their job.

You really don't like William (or Catherine) do you volver? Ever made comments like that about Harry or Meghan's 'good works'?

Incidentally there is no requirement to be homeless to sell the Big Issue.

Rosie51 seriously, why would a grown man take a photo from a distance of someone he thought was a celebrity?

Right enough about the homeless bit. But its still their job and you were wondering why the person in your story hadn't found a job. Well he has a job, so your comment is wrong.

I have no feelings for W&K either way. As I've never met them I don't know if I'd like them or not. But I have a suspicion. Anyway, I know a PR stunt when I see one.

volver I didn't wonder why he had no job, do try to keep your comments directed at the correct person. I merely corrected the idea that you have to be homeless to sell the Big Issue.

I have no feelings for W&K either way. As I've never met them I don't know if I'd like them or not. But I have a suspicion. Anyway, I know a PR stunt when I see one. would that be the same as the PR stunts H&M carry out?

He’s patron of a charity for the homeless.

Rosie51

volver I didn't wonder why he had no job, do try to keep your comments directed at the correct person. I merely corrected the idea that you have to be homeless to sell the Big Issue.

I have no feelings for W&K either way. As I've never met them I don't know if I'd like them or not. But I have a suspicion. Anyway, I know a PR stunt when I see one. would that be the same as the PR stunts H&M carry out?

So sorry, I'm doing this in between other stuff. Many apologies.

Looked like a publicity stunt that was staged.

Thought the weekend went well, surprised Kate's kicked him out.

Prince William has been the patron of Centrepoint since the early 2000s but has been connected to other homeless charities for a long time. I'm sure both William and Kate are intelligent enough to know that they can't ever experience what it is like to be homeless, but maybe they want a feel for what it feels like to be standing in the street being ignored, as many are?

From what I have read, it seems it was posted at the instigation of someone else, so not William’s PR team.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Where’s your evidence for that Urms?

Do you ever think people just post the most outrageous things to see how far they can push it, and to see if others will bite?

Frequently.

It’s now a cartel run by Romanian Roma as a way to access the housing benefits system.

According to Iain Duncan Smith. Not according to John Bird, the founder of Big Issue.

www.channel4.com/news/big-issue-founder-magazine-hand-up-not-hand-out-john-bird-iain-duncan-smith#:~:text=Of%20the%203%2C500%20vendors%20currently,and%20the%20remainder%20other%20nationalities.

I would rather listen to John Bird.

Urmstongran

The Big Issue lost its way long long ago in being a leg up for homeless.

It’s now a cartel run by Romanian Roma as a way to access the housing benefits system. ‘Work’ 16 hours a week = opens the doors to claiming benefits. There are better charities he could have publicised.

You do talk some rot.
In fact 56% of Big Issue sellers are Roma.

Another fact: non-British vendors are more likely to be homeless

And another: Roma vendors face significant levels of racist abuse. According to the Big Issue (who I think know better than you, frankly):
‘Often, the abuse stems not only from prejudices against Roma people but misconceptions about them selling the magazine – the most common being that Roma and non-British vendors are taking opportunities to become a vendor away from British people.

This is simply not the case. We have more pitches than we have vendors. Similarly, the money that vendors spend on magazines is reinvested in the service we provide. This means that nobody ever misses out on accessing our service, and the more magazines a vendor is able to buy, the more they are helping us to support them and any potential new vendors.’