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To separate News from Politics

(282 Posts)

GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.

Josianne Thu 09-Dec-21 13:29:28

Urmstongran today made a suggestion to GNHQ that the above two subjects should have their own threads. Apparently we have to register our approval or interest here.
So yes, please please, please.

lemongrove Fri 10-Dec-21 14:32:13

Well....not in theory MaizieD but those threads make it so very unwelcome to any Conservative supporters/voters that hardly any bother with them, and quite frankly when you are repeatedly told how awful you must be to support them (because, yes, that’s the level of debate frequently) then most people think they will avoid personal attacks and slanging matches....life is too short. ? Those threads always end up as echo chambers where posters cosily exchange horror stories about the political party they abhor, and I think that’s when they are happiest, with no other views to disturb them.

I shan’t worry about GNHQ separating news from politics but think it’s a good idea to.Many more posters would come on to a news thread if it excluded politics as much as possible.

Galaxy Fri 10-Dec-21 15:01:36

Yes theres never any mention of loony lefties or Corbyn lovers etc etc.

lemongrove Fri 10-Dec-21 15:15:15

There was very little of that Galaxy even when Corbyn was the leader, and since the last GE any at all that I’ve seen.There are never enough posters with opposing views on political pages anymore.Obvious why.

Casdon Fri 10-Dec-21 15:32:44

I must admit to not understanding what you are getting at lemongrove, because there are so many shades of political leaning amongst the regular posters on the political threads. Not everybody who posts is Left, or Labour by any means, and there are as many disagreements between those who I’m assuming you think are on the left as there are with others on the right. It certainly isn’t a club.
I think that you have to be pretty robust to be able to defend your views whatever they are, but that’s because there are lots of people on political threads who have knowledge and experience and will challenge - I’ve learned a lot from some of the others of different persuasions.
The other thing about political threads that I like is that to the best of my knowledge there’s no backbiting behind the scenes, people say what they think there and then, and there are no behind the scenes ‘gangs’ who victimise posters they don’t agree with, which seems to happen on the most innocuous non-political threads.

Lucca Fri 10-Dec-21 15:36:17

Why are Tory gransnetters so precious ? As soon as someone points out for example an inaccuracy in their post we get a whole raft of “ oh no wonder I don’t often post here, it’s so nasty” Or “ oh just another Boris bashing thread”

And I’m sorry but there was a lot of “typical leftie “ “corbyn lover”. Etc . Usually accompanied by ??

Chestnut Fri 10-Dec-21 16:01:22

I agree with Lemongrove that there are numerous Boris/Tory bashing threads which are most unpleasant sometimes and I have been quite shocked at the nastiness of some posters on these threads. The tone of comments calmed down a bit following the recent tragic shooting of a Tory MP because the general feeling at the time was to tone down aggressive language. But I agree many people feel it's best to stay away from these threads unless you agree with these people, because saying anything different brings them down on you. They will start spitting feathers at the mere mention of Boris, Trump or Farage, and the echo chamber just resounds with echoes and not much else.

Galaxy Fri 10-Dec-21 16:19:19

Yes I was about to say Lucca there have been many many times I have seen leftie used as an insult.

Dickens Fri 10-Dec-21 16:23:59

lemongrove

Many more posters would come on to a news thread if it excluded politics as much as possible.

I don't think that's possible lemongrove. How much (or how little) is "as much as possible"? And there would have to be some sort of 'disclaimer' telling GNers 'not to post too much about politics' - who decides what is too much?

And if the news item is political in nature - how do you talk about it without the politics?

I suppose we could, for example, discuss the government's plans on Social Care and suggest what we think is fair / not fair, etc... but as we are such an unequal society economically, the divisions are going to be stark and government policy (whatever it turns out to be in the end) is obviously going to draw praise from some and condemnation from others... so in creep the politics again - with every poster having to cogitate about how much they might be allowed to say.

I just don't think it would work. We either have a news thread where absolutely no political comment is allowed or continue as it is.

varian Fri 10-Dec-21 17:42:44

Chestnut

I agree with Lemongrove that there are numerous Boris/Tory bashing threads which are most unpleasant sometimes and I have been quite shocked at the nastiness of some posters on these threads. The tone of comments calmed down a bit following the recent tragic shooting of a Tory MP because the general feeling at the time was to tone down aggressive language. But I agree many people feel it's best to stay away from these threads unless you agree with these people, because saying anything different brings them down on you. They will start spitting feathers at the mere mention of Boris, Trump or Farage, and the echo chamber just resounds with echoes and not much else.

It is very interesting to see a Johnson supporter bracket him together with Trump and Farage.

That tells us a great deal.

What do these three have in common?

Is it -

Stoking division?

Pandering to the lowest common denominator?

Relying on online support of Vladimir Putin?

winterwhite Fri 10-Dec-21 18:09:08

If the Tory party dislikes being 'bashed' it should behave in a way to give little cause for bashing.

lemongrove Fri 10-Dec-21 18:13:03

Dickens I think the two subjects could be separated, there are so many news items that are nothing to do with politics at all, it shouldn’t be difficult.
If a poster then posted something on the news thread that is
Political there’s no need for any reporting, that would be ridiculous, but it could, reasonably be ignored.
There are plenty ( or would be) purely political threads to comment on.
The news threads would be very popular....is this what some posters don’t like?
Anyway, entirely up to HQ to decide.

Lucca Fri 10-Dec-21 18:14:36

winterwhite

If the Tory party dislikes being 'bashed' it should behave in a way to give little cause for bashing.

Good point!

It’s odd too how criticising mr Johnson is Boris bashing but criticising certain recent members of the RF is not “bashing “ apparently……

Kamiso Fri 10-Dec-21 18:20:45

It seems like a good idea perhaps for a six month trial period?

There is so much bullying and all round nastiness on the political threads. Even newborns come under attack, which is really sick and disgraceful!

Josianne Fri 10-Dec-21 18:24:40

The news threads would be very popular.
I think the news threads might not hold much substance and would be short, but what's not to like about that? Things move on, tomorrow's fish and chip paper and all that!

Alegrias1 Fri 10-Dec-21 18:25:02

Nobody's attacked any newborns.

If you think newborns have been attacked that maybe explains why you think people disagreeing with your politics amounts to bullying.

Galaxy Fri 10-Dec-21 18:25:10

No I dont like people trying to control speech.

LilyGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 10-Dec-21 18:26:16

Brilliant idea - thanks for raising it with us. Can't see any immediate issues that would arise from this and there's a very big interest in separating the topics.

We'll get back to you next week with a firm update.

In the meantime, have a fantastic weekend. flowers

Josianne Fri 10-Dec-21 18:29:43

Thank you Lily. I'm off to post some trivial News!

Alegrias1 Fri 10-Dec-21 18:32:10

There's a lot of interest in not separating the topics too.

Heigh ho.

lemongrove Fri 10-Dec-21 18:32:41

Thank you Lily tchsmile

Urmstongran Fri 10-Dec-21 21:25:43

Thank you very much Lily for your feedback. I dare say ‘the proof of the pudding will be in the eating’.
?

Lucca Fri 10-Dec-21 21:33:32

Kamiso

It seems like a good idea perhaps for a six month trial period?

There is so much bullying and all round nastiness on the political threads. Even newborns come under attack, which is really sick and disgraceful!

I have asked and asked and asked ..,where is there any bitchiness nastiness or bullying of the newborn baby. That’s just made up.

Where are these posts ??

Urmstongran Fri 10-Dec-21 21:38:55

I think it’s a typo Lucca.
I think Kamiso meant ‘newbie’ not NEWBORN. Quite possibly corrective text?
?

Alegrias1 Fri 10-Dec-21 22:21:03

Oh look, a flying pig. Don't take us for fools.

Kali2 Fri 10-Dec-21 22:32:23

winterwhite

If the Tory party dislikes being 'bashed' it should behave in a way to give little cause for bashing.

Yes, I am afraid that this is it. Quite simple really.

And now we hear Jack Doyle was actually at that Party- and Johnson has refused to accept his resignation. Plus he knew about the funding for the flat!