When did UK governments lose their way?

Bring back Jim Callaghan…. Or for me David Miliband is the obvious choice!

Bring back Jim Callaghan
You have to be joking!

Even the SNP joined the Tories and others in a vote of no confidence in his Labour Government
And - biggest shock of all - my father didn't vote Labour in the subsequent election after a lifetime of Labour membership 😲

Jim Callaghan died in 2005, so he’s unlikely to be returning… and David Miliband is no longer an MP, and has an important role elsewhere. I was sorry he went though, I liked him.

Callistemon21 it all happened when I was young and busy with living so don’t have any bad memories of Jim Callaghan whereas subsequent prime ministers used to really grate. Hadn’t realised what a fundamental disaster Jim Callaghan was. Must look him up.
As an old lady I am beginning to find the constant opposition parties whinge approach annoying - it detracts from the messages for me anyway. Delivery is important?

I'm sure he was a thoroughly decent man, ronib, but nicknamed Sunny Jim Callaghan because of his head in the sand approach to the mounting disasters and chaos in the country.
As a young Mum, I remember those days well.

Callistemon21

Were you there?

I was just remembering. Others have explained it in detail.

I agree with many contributors here, who have pointed out that we are now in the era of "Professional Politicians", who throughout their political education, apprenticeship and eventual appointment to an executive position, have experienced an existence which has consistently been sheltered from everyday life and work. Many of them therefore have neither an understanding of nor any meaningful working relationship with the population they are supposed to represent. I think that this trend has accelerated during the last couple of decades in particular. With this inevitably inward-looking environment, is it any wonder that so many of those who hold positions of power often appear self-serving and "entitled" ? I'm not saying that I remember the days when politicians were genuinely the servants of the people, but I do recall when at least some of them appeared to be, and moreover, had some practical experience of everyday life and work. Many of these delicate hot-house plants we have nowadays, selectively bred in a rarified atmosphere, and institutionally insulated from the realities of society, simply aren't fit for purpose.

As an old lady I am beginning to find the constant opposition parties whinge approach annoying - it detracts from the messages for me anyway. Delivery is important?

What do you think opposition parties should do, ronib? Enthusiastically back the government?

Callistemon21

I'm sure he was a thoroughly decent man, ronib, but nicknamed Sunny Jim Callaghan because of his head in the sand approach to the mounting disasters and chaos in the country.
As a young Mum, I remember those days well.

Jim Callaghan's government was nothing like the disaster that Thatcher's turned out to be.

MaizieD

^As an old lady I am beginning to find the constant opposition parties whinge approach annoying - it detracts from the messages for me anyway. Delivery is important?^

What do you think opposition parties should do, ronib? Enthusiastically back the government?

No of course not MaizieD. I think a calmer delivery with an analytical/forensic approach would pay dividends.
My son explained to me that the generations 18 to 40 years feel so let down by the current administration and even Conservatives are depressed
by the government, there’s a new low distrust of all politicians.

NanaDana

I agree with many contributors here, who have pointed out that we are now in the era of "Professional Politicians", who throughout their political education, apprenticeship and eventual appointment to an executive position, have experienced an existence which has consistently been sheltered from everyday life and work. Many of them therefore have neither an understanding of nor any meaningful working relationship with the population they are supposed to represent. I think that this trend has accelerated during the last couple of decades in particular. With this inevitably inward-looking environment, is it any wonder that so many of those who hold positions of power often appear self-serving and "entitled" ? I'm not saying that I remember the days when politicians were genuinely the servants of the people, but I do recall when at least some of them appeared to be, and moreover, had some practical experience of everyday life and work. Many of these delicate hot-house plants we have nowadays, selectively bred in a rarified atmosphere, and institutionally insulated from the realities of society, simply aren't fit for purpose.

Some of the Labour shadow cabinet have got to where they are through the school of hard knocks though, which is good to see.

Casdon

NanaDana

I agree with many contributors here, who have pointed out that we are now in the era of "Professional Politicians", who throughout their political education, apprenticeship and eventual appointment to an executive position, have experienced an existence which has consistently been sheltered from everyday life and work. Many of them therefore have neither an understanding of nor any meaningful working relationship with the population they are supposed to represent. I think that this trend has accelerated during the last couple of decades in particular. With this inevitably inward-looking environment, is it any wonder that so many of those who hold positions of power often appear self-serving and "entitled" ? I'm not saying that I remember the days when politicians were genuinely the servants of the people, but I do recall when at least some of them appeared to be, and moreover, had some practical experience of everyday life and work. Many of these delicate hot-house plants we have nowadays, selectively bred in a rarified atmosphere, and institutionally insulated from the realities of society, simply aren't fit for purpose.

Some of the Labour shadow cabinet have got to where they are through the school of hard knocks though, which is good to see.

There are politicians of both types in all parties and always have been, but yes, serving the people whom they represent is often forgotten as more of those in power seem to be self-serving now.

Callistemon21
There are politicians of both types in all parties and always have been, but yes, serving the people whom they represent is often forgotten as more of those in power seem to be self-serving now.

It certainly seems like that. Evidence in the news about one, then another.
Or did we just not know before, because we didn’t have access to all the information.

Mollygo

Callistemon21
There are politicians of both types in all parties and always have been, but yes, serving the people whom they represent is often forgotten as more of those in power seem to be self-serving now.

It certainly seems like that. Evidence in the news about one, then another.
Or did we just not know before, because we didn’t have access to all the information.

Well, that's a good point Mollygo and yes, before social media a lot could be hushed up.

In the old days people "respected their betters" until they found out they weren't actually better and were probably worse!

There is a huge difference between the politicians who genuinely try to serve the public and those who claim to represent the majority but saying "this is the people's priority" or worse still trying to set some of the people against others by targeting a group which are "enemies of the people", with the support of the gutter press.