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Should we really be doing this?

(135 Posts)
LR10 Fri 18-Oct-24 13:29:31

So Labour are sending 100 staff to swing states in the USA to canvass for Kamala Harris. How would we feel if the USA did that during our election campaign - I for one would be furious! Do other Gransnetters think it's OK to involve ourselves in another country's presidential election?

maddyfour Fri 18-Oct-24 13:34:34

I don’t think our taxes should be used to fund canvassing for political parties in other countries.

If I was American, I would resent the interference.

I don’t want Trump as President again, but at the end of the day, it’s neither my business nor the business of my government who the Americans choose as President. Gosh, all the indignation from posters over possible interference from Russia in our elections. It can never be right to interfere in the election of another country.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 18-Oct-24 13:37:16

What maddyfour said 👏👏👏

Casdon Fri 18-Oct-24 13:54:10

Where have you picked up that taxpayers will be footing the bill for this maddyfour, I can’t find any reference to that anywhere?
I don’t like anything about the way the US election campaign is run, including the ability to draft in supporters from other countries, or the interference by influencer sites. Blatant lies seem to be the order of the day.

Grandmabatty Fri 18-Oct-24 13:56:35

Where is your information coming from?

maddyfour Fri 18-Oct-24 13:57:43

I’ll be very happy if you can tell me who else is footing the bill Casdon.
If it was announced it was Lord Alli then I’m afraid I missed that.
Who do you think are footing the bill then?

GrannyGravy13 Fri 18-Oct-24 13:58:43

Grandmabatty

Where is your information coming from?

Sofia Patel (Head of Operations Labour Party) has posted this on multiple social media platforms.

Casdon Fri 18-Oct-24 13:59:54

I’d imagine it would be funded by the Labour Party maddyone. It isn’t a government initiative as far as I’m aware - but please post what you’ve seen and then we will know?

maddyfour Fri 18-Oct-24 14:00:10

Grandmabatty
That Labour are sending people to the swing states in the USA to support the campaign for Kamala Harris was announced yesterday.
Did you miss it?

Grandmabatty Fri 18-Oct-24 14:00:38

Ok. Thanks grannygravy. Hmm, not something I would be happy about to be honest.

Iam64 Fri 18-Oct-24 14:02:15

Well as a LP member, I’m happy for my subs to be used to support Kamala.
All that needs for evil to triumph is for good to stand by saying, nothing to do with me

maddyfour Fri 18-Oct-24 14:02:37

I heard it, but you could ask the OP for a link if you’d like one Casdon. I’m not the OP.

I’m pleased you imagine that the Labour Party are funding it. Let’s hope you’re right!

GrannyGravy13 Fri 18-Oct-24 14:06:18

Iam64

Well as a LP member, I’m happy for my subs to be used to support Kamala.
All that needs for evil to triumph is for good to stand by saying, nothing to do with me

I have just posted on another thread.

would you be happy if Republican loyalists were to come here and canvas/campaign for the Conservatives in the next U.K. GE. ?

I 100% would be fuming, no foreign help for elections no way Jose!

seadragon Fri 18-Oct-24 14:06:51

Well said, @Iam64....!

maddyfour Fri 18-Oct-24 14:07:31

Iam64 obviously using funds from the Labour Party is a very different matter than using taxation. If the LP want to use funds that way, it’s up to them.

However, that still leaves the question of interference in elections in other countries. I’m no fan of Trump, absolutely 100% not, but given our own objections to foreign interference in our elections, it’s really not something we should be getting mixed up in, in my opinion. Leave other countries to sort out their own elections and do not interfere. That is my opinion.

Macadia Fri 18-Oct-24 14:07:43

That type of assistance in the US is not welcome and Harris should discourage it. She will be made a laughing stock about it. Never okay to jump in to a foreign nation's election. Have they gone bonkers? Terrible leadership on this one.

maddyfour Fri 18-Oct-24 14:09:48

I agree GrannyGravy.
I would be absolutely fuming alongside you if Republican Loyalists (or Democrats) were to come to the UK and interfere in our elections.

Aveline Fri 18-Oct-24 14:11:25

I'd go. No expenses required in such a good cause

Casdon Fri 18-Oct-24 14:12:48

You posted that taxpayers money would be used, not the OP maddyfour, that’s why I asked you to share your source. That is not unreasonable, surely?

Witzend Fri 18-Oct-24 14:13:13

If I found Americans canvassing for any political party before a general election of ours, I’d be livid. Let them stick to their own messy politics.
I seem to recall Barack Obama kindly telling us how we ought to vote in the Brexit referendum. IMO he should have minded his own business, too.

sharon103 Fri 18-Oct-24 14:18:24

No I don't think it's ok.

Oreo Fri 18-Oct-24 14:20:25

maddyfour

Iam64 obviously using funds from the Labour Party is a very different matter than using taxation. If the LP want to use funds that way, it’s up to them.

However, that still leaves the question of interference in elections in other countries. I’m no fan of Trump, absolutely 100% not, but given our own objections to foreign interference in our elections, it’s really not something we should be getting mixed up in, in my opinion. Leave other countries to sort out their own elections and do not interfere. That is my opinion.

I totally agree and apart from anything else what if DT wins and he knows our present government actively campaigned against him?

Oreo Fri 18-Oct-24 14:23:19

Aveline

I'd go. No expenses required in such a good cause

That’s fine as you’re a private citizen not a member of the LP and close to our government.
I think it’s shocking to interfere so publicly and it may well bite this govt on the bum if Harris doesn’t win.

Cossy Fri 18-Oct-24 14:29:45

What?? I’ve heard nothing of this?

Cossy Fri 18-Oct-24 14:30:51

maddyfour

Iam64 obviously using funds from the Labour Party is a very different matter than using taxation. If the LP want to use funds that way, it’s up to them.

However, that still leaves the question of interference in elections in other countries. I’m no fan of Trump, absolutely 100% not, but given our own objections to foreign interference in our elections, it’s really not something we should be getting mixed up in, in my opinion. Leave other countries to sort out their own elections and do not interfere. That is my opinion.

I wholeheartedly agree