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Performance politics but empty words

(203 Posts)
PoliticsNerd Tue 21-Jan-25 07:41:12

Much of today's display of 'performance politics' may appear to yield results, but ultimately, it's unlikely that these promises will come to fruition. Signing public documents or holding photo opportunities in no way guarantees the passage of these bills and policies. However, this facade is what Trump supporters will initially remember. Like many Brexit supporters who have come to realise that getting what they wanted has not improved their lives or, in fact, led to nothing being done, some may eventually move towards authoritarianism.

Winston Churchill famously said that a democracy requires an informed voter. Unfortunately, too many people are either misinformed or uninformed. Those who are uninformed are, by default, the most susceptible to manipulation. My initial optimism about the potential of Citizens' Juries to empower citizens and foster informed debate now seems misplaced, as they have become mired in the complexities of government.

So, how can we, as individuals and as a society, work towards becoming better informed?

Whitewavemark2 Tue 21-Jan-25 07:59:45

I think that the weakness in your argument is that the assumption that supporters of political parties or political issues are “uniformed”

They may be very informed indeed snd come to the conclusion they did.

Politics is the art of persuasion. At present the populists appear to hold all the cards. But this will change - it always does.

One thing guaranteed about politics is disillusionment.

keepingquiet Tue 21-Jan-25 08:17:17

It's quite simple: education. I was interested to see Justine Greening on Celebrity Mastermind yesterday.
She is the ONLY one time education secretary who was educated in a local comprehensive school.
This tells you everything about the ingrained privilege of the real establishment in this country.
She now works to raise expectations in working class children to achieve more than being nail technicians or warehouse workers.
I am not a Tory and always thought Justine was in the wrong party but it was refreshing to see and hear this.

PoliticsNerd Tue 21-Jan-25 08:21:09

What channel/time was Celebrity Master Mind please, keepingquiet. I'll try and watch it.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 21-Jan-25 10:20:10

My point is that if someone admires Trump, Musk et Al then I think that you can assume that they are fascist supporters, who would vote for a Nazi party, - not uneducated.

Sago Tue 21-Jan-25 10:44:04

Whitewavemark2

My point is that if someone admires Trump, Musk et Al then I think that you can assume that they are fascist supporters, who would vote for a Nazi party, - not uneducated.

That is most offensive and inflammatory.

I would like you to ask admin to remove that post.

You have gone too far.

NotSpaghetti Tue 21-Jan-25 10:47:06

I was about to reply "Education" - but I see keepingquiet has already said that.

Sago Tue 21-Jan-25 11:16:28

keepingquiet

It's quite simple: education. I was interested to see Justine Greening on Celebrity Mastermind yesterday.
She is the ONLY one time education secretary who was educated in a local comprehensive school.
This tells you everything about the ingrained privilege of the real establishment in this country.
She now works to raise expectations in working class children to achieve more than being nail technicians or warehouse workers.
I am not a Tory and always thought Justine was in the wrong party but it was refreshing to see and hear this.

What is wrong nail technicians and warehouse operatives?

It is OK not to be academic.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 21-Jan-25 11:33:09

I am sorry to see that a perfectly reasonable post was taken down.

My argument is that Trumps supporters are varied indeed, almost certainly sympathetic to far right causes, like those he is releasing from prison, and many others in America are Nazi- supporters. We saw them in full flow on J6 and in so many demonstrations in the USA

You simply cannot deny that fact.

Why on earth that was zapped I have no idea?

Allira Tue 21-Jan-25 11:36:44

Sago

keepingquiet

It's quite simple: education. I was interested to see Justine Greening on Celebrity Mastermind yesterday.
She is the ONLY one time education secretary who was educated in a local comprehensive school.
This tells you everything about the ingrained privilege of the real establishment in this country.
She now works to raise expectations in working class children to achieve more than being nail technicians or warehouse workers.
I am not a Tory and always thought Justine was in the wrong party but it was refreshing to see and hear this.

What is wrong nail technicians and warehouse operatives?

It is OK not to be academic.

I was going to ask the same.

The country would grind to a halt without warehouse operatives.

I'm not sure about it grinding to a halt without nail technicians but a lot of people seem to use their services therefore they are part of the economy. I'm thinking of going myself.
Vanity? Probably.

Allira Tue 21-Jan-25 11:37:20

Ps Spoiler Alert!!

Justine didn't win.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 21-Jan-25 11:38:34

Whitewavemark2

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.gransnet.com/info/netiquette">Talk guidelines.</a>

I have requested an explanation for the guidelines that say I cannot discuss neo-Nazi groups in the USA

Allira Tue 21-Jan-25 11:39:36

It's still there anyway!!
Unless it was a different post.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 21-Jan-25 11:41:39

Allira

It's still there anyway!!
Unless it was a different post.

On my thread it has been zapped.

Oreo Tue 21-Jan-25 11:52:25

Whitewavemark2

I think that the weakness in your argument is that the assumption that supporters of political parties or political issues are “uniformed”

They may be very informed indeed snd come to the conclusion they did.

Politics is the art of persuasion. At present the populists appear to hold all the cards. But this will change - it always does.

One thing guaranteed about politics is disillusionment.

I agree

Elegran Tue 21-Jan-25 11:53:32

Sago asks "What is wrong nail technicians and warehouse operatives? It is OK not to be academic."

Nothing is wrong with them, and there is nothing wrong with not being academic. There is nothing wrong with a nail technician having no interest whatsoever in Shakespeare's tragedies or the economic theories of Victorian pundits or the spread of archaic Indo-European languages.

However, a nail technician who, for instance, knows how the Government reaches decisions on crucial legislation which affects its citizens won't be conned into voting according to the loudest foreign critic of that government, who hates a certain demographic because (insert here the latest accusation) Education (and not just in the 3 Rs, though they are essential) is too valuable an asset to be kept for those in academic subjects.

A well-educated population, which does not just mean that they can read and write and count the change they are given for a £10 note, is a country where everyone is able to contribute to the country's economy and administration, and a support to their fellow-countrymen.

Oreo Tue 21-Jan-25 11:54:27

Tho I disagree with your deleted comment.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 21-Jan-25 12:14:24

Oreo

Tho I disagree with your deleted comment.

Why? Are you denying that these groups don’t exist in the USA?

Those voting for trump will be absolutely aware of Trumps association with these groups and Musks support of Nazi groups in Europe.

I don’t under why the denial?

Oreo Tue 21-Jan-25 12:18:35

I think you need to read your deleted comment again, it’s repeated and still there on Sago’s post above.
You don’t specify US groups and I won’t quote what you wrote but it’s there to read.

David49 Tue 21-Jan-25 12:25:13

Whitewavemark2

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.gransnet.com/info/netiquette">Talk guidelines.</a>

That’s a pretty outrageous statement

I admire Musk for what he has achieved, I don’t think he should get involved in politics but his role is to stop waste in government, it certainly does not warrant him being called a Nazi.

nanna8 Tue 21-Jan-25 12:29:29

WhitewaveMark2Clearly you have no idea of why so many voted for Trump. You seem to think all those who voted for him are right wing fascists which, in my book, is a total insult to the large majority of Americans of all different colours and backgrounds who voted for him. You just don’t get it, do you ?

David49 Tue 21-Jan-25 12:31:20

Right wing groups exist in every country including the UK.

Trump did nothing especially bad last time he was president and I don’t expect him to this time. He wants to control migration and reduce waste exactly the same as the UK,

keepingquiet Tue 21-Jan-25 12:35:36

Elegran

Sago asks "What is wrong nail technicians and warehouse operatives? It is OK not to be academic."

Nothing is wrong with them, and there is nothing wrong with not being academic. There is nothing wrong with a nail technician having no interest whatsoever in Shakespeare's tragedies or the economic theories of Victorian pundits or the spread of archaic Indo-European languages.

However, a nail technician who, for instance, knows how the Government reaches decisions on crucial legislation which affects its citizens won't be conned into voting according to the loudest foreign critic of that government, who hates a certain demographic because (insert here the latest accusation) Education (and not just in the 3 Rs, though they are essential) is too valuable an asset to be kept for those in academic subjects.

A well-educated population, which does not just mean that they can read and write and count the change they are given for a £10 note, is a country where everyone is able to contribute to the country's economy and administration, and a support to their fellow-countrymen.

Thankyou Elegran this is exactly what I meant.

Education is not just about academia- and of course it is ok not to be academic.

A good education encourages curiosity above all. We should be encouraging young people to question the media they are exposed to, and education should lead them to question why they are not paid more, especially as some posters seem to acknowledge how important warehouse workers are- therefore they should have better pay and working conditions.
We have had austerity now for almost a generation and many young people have never known anything else so just accept their lot as 'normal.'
Meanwhile the rich get richer on the backs of the ignorance of the population and it has been planned this way.

eazybee Tue 21-Jan-25 13:00:30

Whitewavemark2
Your assumptions about the beliefs of people who admire Trump are not only immensely patronising but also display an extremely narrow view of the electorate.

Sago Tue 21-Jan-25 18:10:45

eazybee

Whitewavemark2
Your assumptions about the beliefs of people who admire Trump are not only immensely patronising but also display an extremely narrow view of the electorate.

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