General Election to be called today?

growstuff

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

Well, I imagine because private schools try to instill this attitude?

I can’t say, as my kids both went to state schools, although a friends children did, and it seemed they set the bar higher for the pupils,

Indeed they can’t, and I accept that. But well done DiamondLily. I greatly respect people who have a work ethic and will graft in order to get on. Life is usually much easier for those born with a silver spoon in their mouth; I have met a good many of them and hard work is a stranger to most in my experience. When I got one as a trainee I refused to continue the spoon feeding and made them look up the answer rather than relying on me - we didn’t have a hugely expensive library of legal textbooks just to let it gather dust.

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 wing. Tice is constantly leading debates with how to stop the boats, and bring back “England” - whatever that is.

30p Lee Anderson represents them perfectly.😗

Urmstongran

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.

what about count binface or his associates?
there are numerous candidates to vote for apart from the big 2, why spoil your ballot paper.
that just makes extra work for the counters and scrutineers, to no productive end.
pick someone to vote for, or choose not to vote at all.
someone i knew, when being canvassed, always said, i vote for the best looking candidate.
this was when they were invariably men.
she was a woman.
each party would say, thank you very much and mark her down as supporting them.

Cossy

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.

Sunak is terrible at things like that. He’s not a natural. Imo he’s called this election so he can get beat, resign and move to America.

DiamondLily

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.

Of course they will. My experience is different. Before I retired completely, I worked as a private tutor. I tutored some teenagers from extremely affluent backgrounds, who knew every excuse in the book for not working. In two cases, I had to tell their parents that the reason they weren't achieving was because they were lazy and I didn't feel that I could do anything for them, unless they changed their attitude (which they didn't).

It's not just the poor and "feckless" who don't work.

The fact is that from the moment of birth, people face very different life challenges.

Reform have zero experience of government. Who would fill all the great offices of State? Any ideas? 30p Lee for Chancellor? Urms, I cannot believe you are serious - but then you admit to admiring Trump don’t you?

Germanshepherdsmum

Indeed they can’t, and I accept that. But well done DiamondLily. I greatly respect people who have a work ethic and will graft in order to get on. Life is usually much easier for those born with a silver spoon in their mouth; I have met a good many of them and hard work is a stranger to most in my experience. When I got one as a trainee I refused to continue the spoon feeding and made them look up the answer rather than relying on me - we didn’t have a hugely expensive library of legal textbooks just to let it gather dust.

Well, life’s not always about the “easy road”, and although I’d love to have been born with a silver spoon, I wasn’t, so I had to jog on.

And I don’t think hard graft ever killed anyone, to be honest.

But, my parents and extended family were workers, and benefits weren’t an option.

And drugs weren’t around as they are now.

That was life.😉

welbeck

Urmstongran

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.

what about count binface or his associates?
there are numerous candidates to vote for apart from the big 2, why spoil your ballot paper.
that just makes extra work for the counters and scrutineers, to no productive end.
pick someone to vote for, or choose not to vote at all.
someone i knew, when being canvassed, always said, i vote for the best looking candidate.
this was when they were invariably men.
she was a woman.
each party would say, thank you very much and mark her down as supporting them.

I'd vote for Count Binface, the candidate for the Hamster Welfare Society (or whoever) rather than spoil my ballot paper.

Nobody has any idea or could care less why people spoil their papers. We all know that one of two main parties will win. However, a vote for a minority lobbying group (the NHS party, Fathers4 Justice party, The WASPI party) might show the strength of feeling for a specific issue.

growstuff

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

It’s called choice.

Electioneering funding depends on the amount of votes a candidate gets. If you want to make a protest vote I’d suggest voting green so we have people out there fighting for the environment, something that affects all of us and will affect our children and grandchildren. Even if you support a certain party it’s still important to have strong opposition that will hold them to account.

DiamondLily

Germanshepherdsmum

Indeed they can’t, and I accept that. But well done DiamondLily. I greatly respect people who have a work ethic and will graft in order to get on. Life is usually much easier for those born with a silver spoon in their mouth; I have met a good many of them and hard work is a stranger to most in my experience. When I got one as a trainee I refused to continue the spoon feeding and made them look up the answer rather than relying on me - we didn’t have a hugely expensive library of legal textbooks just to let it gather dust.

Well, life’s not always about the “easy road”, and although I’d love to have been born with a silver spoon, I wasn’t, so I had to jog on.

And I don’t think hard graft ever killed anyone, to be honest.

But, my parents and extended family were workers, and benefits weren’t an option.

And drugs weren’t around as they are now.

That was life.😉

Well, good for you! There are plenty of people who have worked hard and still end up on life's scrap heap.

growstuff

DiamondLily

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.

Of course they will. My experience is different. Before I retired completely, I worked as a private tutor. I tutored some teenagers from extremely affluent backgrounds, who knew every excuse in the book for not working. In two cases, I had to tell their parents that the reason they weren't achieving was because they were lazy and I didn't feel that I could do anything for them, unless they changed their attitude (which they didn't).

It's not just the poor and "feckless" who don't work.

The fact is that from the moment of birth, people face very different life challenges.

Of course, it’s not only the disadvantaged that fail. Some children, with every advantage, blow it.

No excuses, whoever they are, and whatever their roots.🙂.

growstuff

DiamondLily

Germanshepherdsmum

Indeed they can’t, and I accept that. But well done DiamondLily. I greatly respect people who have a work ethic and will graft in order to get on. Life is usually much easier for those born with a silver spoon in their mouth; I have met a good many of them and hard work is a stranger to most in my experience. When I got one as a trainee I refused to continue the spoon feeding and made them look up the answer rather than relying on me - we didn’t have a hugely expensive library of legal textbooks just to let it gather dust.

Well, life’s not always about the “easy road”, and although I’d love to have been born with a silver spoon, I wasn’t, so I had to jog on.

And I don’t think hard graft ever killed anyone, to be honest.

But, my parents and extended family were workers, and benefits weren’t an option.

And drugs weren’t around as they are now.

That was life.😉

Well, good for you! There are plenty of people who have worked hard and still end up on life's scrap heap.

Hmm. My ex was semi literate and came from an abusive, deprived background.

He would never have had a “career”, but he always worked.

Because he wanted to.

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

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

It’s called choice.

Yes, I know it's about choice. But why do they do it, if all that's needed is hard work? Posters seem to think that success depends on hard work alone and have boasted how they have succeeded in difficult circumstances. Surely it's a waste of money to spend on something which isn't needed after all.

DiamondLily I'm not disputing that, but some people have a much easier time than others because they don't have the barriers. That really is a fact.

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

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

It’s called choice.

Yes, I know it's about choice. But why do they do it, if all that's needed is hard work? Posters seem to think that success depends on hard work alone and have boasted how they have succeeded in difficult circumstances. Surely it's a waste of money to spend on something which isn't needed after all.

It’s their money to spend as they please.

We chose fee paying schools for several children as it was the right fit for them, likewise one that was registered at birth for a particular school as the start date loomed we knew it was not the best option but the small local primary was.

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

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

It’s called choice.

Yes, I know it's about choice. But why do they do it, if all that's needed is hard work? Posters seem to think that success depends on hard work alone and have boasted how they have succeeded in difficult circumstances. Surely it's a waste of money to spend on something which isn't needed after all.

Well, I choose to pay for a private GP and a private dentist, because I’m retired, and even if I wasn’t, hard work would, unfortunately, not get me a GP appointment or to see an NHS dentist - it’s impossible around here.🤷‍♀️

Ex and I couldn’t afford to send our kids to private school, but I would have, given the choice. It wasn’t there, so we relied on state education, and private tutors backing up it all at final exam time.

We all try to do our best by our family - whatever it is.

I’d never knock anyone for using a private school.

growstuff

DiamondLily I'm not disputing that, but some people have a much easier time than others because they don't have the barriers. That really is a fact.

Many 1,000’s of people break down your so called barriers and succeed in life. They build up businesses, employ others and become millionaires.

P.S. You used the term scrap heap of life upthread, what a disrespectful and nasty phrase.

growstuff

DiamondLily I'm not disputing that, but some people have a much easier time than others because they don't have the barriers. That really is a fact.

I know, because I spent years working in Children’s Services, that there can be barriers - of course.

But, I also saw some people overcome the most horrendous of times to push themselves onwards.

Some success is down to determination and the wish to succeed.

But, I think a lot of this is down to the nonsense posted online.

Many youngsters think they just want to be “celebs” or influencers, and others think that drug dealers are glamorous.

It’s sad really.

growstuff

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?

Sunak is smart, he thinks he can out debate Starmer, when he asks Starmer to commit to any particular policy he will struggle, whether that cuts any ice with the voters is another matter.

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.

I can tell you never watch PMQs!

Sunak is smart, he thinks he can out debate Starmer, when he asks Starmer to commit to any particular policy he will struggle, whether that cuts any ice with the voters is another matter.

Sorry, Katie590, that sentence doesn't make any sense at all to me. Can you rephrase it?

IIRC in a former life Starmer was a hardworking and very successful barrister. His stock in trade was mastering his brief and presenting a convincing argument. Debate should be just up his street...

If Ug truly believes that we all agree with her prediction she is being more than usually delusional. 😳

Katie590

growstuff
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?
Sunak is smart, he thinks he can out debate Starmer, when he asks Starmer to commit to any particular policy he will struggle, whether that cuts any ice with the voters is another matter.”

I’m staggered you actually believe this!

Sunak AND Starmer are both smart, well educated and articulate. Starmer has the advantage of “arguing” and “evidencing” in Court, I’m sure he’s more than capable of ensuring he is well prepared and knowledgable about his own parties policies. I think they’ll be well matched.

What’s more we actually know what Sunak has and hasn’t achieved in power, Starmer is yet to have the chance to do so.

I hope they “properly” debate though, as they are both capable, rather than just slate each other and behave like infants.

Cossy

Katie590

growstuff
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?
Sunak is smart, he thinks he can out debate Starmer, when he asks Starmer to commit to any particular policy he will struggle, whether that cuts any ice with the voters is another matter.”

I’m staggered you actually believe this!

Sunak AND Starmer are both smart, well educated and articulate. Starmer has the advantage of “arguing” and “evidencing” in Court, I’m sure he’s more than capable of ensuring he is well prepared and knowledgable about his own parties policies. I think they’ll be well matched.

What’s more we actually know what Sunak has and hasn’t achieved in power, Starmer is yet to have the chance to do so.

I hope they “properly” debate though, as they are both capable, rather than just slate each other and behave like infants.

I agree. Sunak is never convincing. He resorts to how he helped people with Covid, and just slates Starmer.

Starmer will be all over him - although I’m not sure we need 6 debates.🙄