General Election to be called today?

Believe me I know about barriers. What I don’t accept from anyone is an excuse for not working hard. If I can sit and read law books on my own in order to pass exams, whilst working full time, anyone with the requisite amount of intelligence who is prepared to make the sacrifice can do the same - but I’m not asking them all to become lawyers, just to work hard to earn a living and not be reliant on benefits.

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m not a shining example of what can be achieved! I know you mean that as a compliment but it’s not. I went to a state grammar school and got good O and A levels. I had a place at Cambridge but didn’t take it up because I (very stupidly) was engaged at 17 and married at 19. Yes, I studied on my own for Law Society exams in which I obtained a number of distinctions, then with much difficulty, as a married (they have babies don’t they?) woman without a degree, I got articles in order to qualify as a solicitor. What I achieved was down to a good education and a solid work ethic. Those who are pretty much uneducated and wouldn’t know a work ethic if they fell over it are not, I think likely to do what I did.

I certainly don’t agree that everyone can be a useful member of society. Too many are too lazy to work at school - that shouldn’t have to be dependent on parental encouragement and a quiet place to study - and can’t be bothered to work. One of the best graduates my husband employed was a black lad from a large, poor family, parents not interested in his education, shared a bedroom with younger brothers, but he worked hard and did well. A hard worker will succeed. They don’t need to be clever, they need to be prepared to work.

Again, GSM I have to slightly disagree, yes a good work ethic, honesty and a willingness to learn is paramount, but sadly hard work doesn’t always equal success.

Also, you are correct it was mean as a compliment, and I’m sorry you don’t see it as such!

Germanshepherdsmum

The people in Jaywick haven’t been lumped together. Many have lived there all their lives and they feed off one another’s habits. The people in Jaywick have created their own ghetto and throwing money at it hasn’t helped because they are quite content to carry on as they are. I lived in Essex for many years and I certainly don’t believe that Jaywick could be a nice place unless it was bulldozed and its inhabitants removed. They have made it what it is.

this is not strictly true. Many London boroughs use Jaywick, amongst other places, to 'dump' their 'problem families', thus perpetuating the downward spiral of placing people in areas of poor housing, failing schools, no or poorly paid employment.

It is a self-fulfilling prophesy. Give a dog a bad name and you might as well just shoot him as a puppy. Give an address in somewhere like Jayswick and it is assumed that you will be all the things that GSM described, so someone else gets the openings for more education, a chance to get work experience that counts, and finally a job.

The school would arrange work experience and can give careers advice. They do have local schools you know, rated ‘good’.

You can’t expect schools to solve all the problems of poor parenting. Breaking the cycle requires much more resources than are currently available and intervention needs to be done in the early years. It’s no coincidence that the majority of prisoners come from the care system, neglectful and abusive families, with low school attainment.

I simply refuse to choose between them. I am a centre-right voter. Neither of the mainstream parties represent my views or deserve my vote. Would you like big state with high tax Madam? Or would you prefer high tax with big state?

If Reform field a candidate I’ll vote for him/her. Otherwise just spoil my ballot paper.

I am already bored with the news coverage of the upcoming GE and it’s not even 24 hours since the announcement, think I will extend my holiday.

I’m not interested in anything except what the leaders say. Listening to the opinions of political commentators is tedious and a complete waste of time.

Reform for us. We know the candidate for our area and he is excellent.

If Reform field a candidate I’ll vote for him/her

So Urmstongran what would the country look like under a Reform government? You’ve obviously given this lots of thought, and I am keen to hear how Reform would make things better.

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m not interested in anything except what the leaders say. Listening to the opinions of political commentators is tedious and a complete waste of time.

That’s why the Tory party is in the mess it is. Slavish following of terrible leaders - Johnson and Truss. A party and the plans it has are about so much more than the influence of the leader.

Listening to the opinions of political commentators is tedious and a complete waste of time

And also demonstrates a closed mind GSM. One can often learn by listening to the opinions of others - whether they agree with your view or not.

Sunak calling for 6 tv debates is a master stroke .
I think we can all agree Starmer will come off second best in every single one.

No, Casdon, not slavish following. Listening and thinking. I was never a follower of either Johnson or Truss.

Such arrogance to think that we ‘can all agree’ with your assertion. Unless you can see into the future Urmstongran, we’ll just have to wait and see!

Unfortunately I have yet to see anything other than a very badly written draft from Reform.

Sadly, Lizzie, none of the political commentators is without bias. If you listen to them regularly on various news channels you know exactly what their bias is. I still have enough functioning brain cells to be able to listen to what comes out of the horse’s mouth and make up my mind about what they say actually means.

LizzieDrip The Reform Party must not be considered ‘right wing’ - this would be wrong. They represent social conservatism and common sense. They represent the individual against the increasingly socialist state. They represent the disenfranchised swathe of our country which is seeing our values and way of life demolished.

It really is time for Reform.

Plus … they are not Tory nor Labour. That’ll do for me .

There are very few political commentators on mainstream media that make me think, whether I agree with them or not. Some of those on long form podcasts are interesting, but not generally those churned out on BBC, etc.

Germanshepherdsmum

Believe me I know about barriers. What I don’t accept from anyone is an excuse for not working hard. If I can sit and read law books on my own in order to pass exams, whilst working full time, anyone with the requisite amount of intelligence who is prepared to make the sacrifice can do the same - but I’m not asking them all to become lawyers, just to work hard to earn a living and not be reliant on benefits.

I’ve got to admit that you have got this right. My parents had a work ethic, but I came from a poor environment (the East End of London before it became gentrified). No privilege here.

I went to a bog standard grammar school, took 6 O levels, left school, and went to work.

I got married at 18, had two kids by the time I was 21, but wanted more. So I dug in, took more exams and built up a career.

Nothing as high flying as a lawyer, but a good career. And my kids have done the same. 🙄

If you have the determination, you can make life better - whatever your roots or background.

My ex was a manual worker (same sort of background). He made a good living, despite the lack of a “career”.

I’ve worked for the DWP and I’ve worked for Social Services. Some people will always find an excuse for not working.

Not everyone, of course. Some people genuinely cannot work.

Urmstongran

Sunak calling for 6 tv debates is a master stroke .
I think we can all agree Starmer will come off second best in every single one.

Can we? Let’s wait and see shall we.

If anybody can succeed, given the right attitude, why do some parents spend a fortune on sending their children to a private school?

Urmstongran

Sunak calling for 6 tv debates is a master stroke .
I think we can all agree Starmer will come off second best in every single one.

Eh? How do you work that one out?

Urmstongran

LizzieDrip The Reform Party must not be considered ‘right wing’ - this would be wrong. They represent social conservatism and common sense. They represent the individual against the increasingly socialist state. They represent the disenfranchised swathe of our country which is seeing our values and way of life demolished.

It really is time for Reform.

Plus … they are not Tory nor Labour. That’ll do for me .

They are right of right-wing! Have you also taken the time to read their (so-called) manifesto?