Avoiding politics

I have no idea what any GNetter choses to read, but I do know that newspaper readership was one of the factors most closely correlated with votes in the EU referendum., I also note how many posters claim not to know anyone who voted differently from them. It is always comforting to have your views endorsed and not challenged.

You may prefer the comfort of your regular newspaper or social media echo chamber , but political issues are rarely simple and getting your information from a range of sources may open your eyes

Varian I do wish you would stop lecturing us. You can have no idea what any of us choose to read.

Weary, divided, makes no difference , BUT mostly I can’t think of one inspiring politician. They all seem to live in a different world, they live in a political bubble and loose sight of the realities of many peoples lives.

Crikey blueskies! What kind of "current affairs" is the group taking about if you can't talk about Climate problems! I would love to hear about this and learn more, and to be kept up to date on those evil tax dodgers and to hear about your marches and demos. I can't get out as I'm disabled so feel cut off.
My friend marched for the second referendum and although I would not have done so, (not that I want to leave the EU but I just don't think another referendum will help,) but she sent me pictures and it made me feel like I was part of society again. I love being with vibrant, involved, caring people like you. I just can't get over this person excluding you! It sounds almost sinister to me. Scary! Are we supposed to stay indoors and just do flower-arranging and keep our mouths shut? (I love flower arrangements so absolutely no offence intended).

Nonnie. Exactly! I can't think who would be interested in standing for an EU seat for the UK knowing that no sooner had they sat down in it they would be jumping up out of it to leave! It's such a bizarre situation! Also the idea of voting for anyone seems hardly worth the trip to the Polling Station, although I imagine our loyal generation will turn out and do our bit as always. I hadn't thought about people voting differently just out of utter frustration! We really are living in crazy times. The rest of Europe must think we are entirely batty.

pen50 and Sparklefizz. That's such a shame! I am so sad that things are like that, although you have my greatest sympathy - see what happened to me when I first posted -on a non-political matter! (previous post above).

It is terribly sad that we in our generation are scared of a virtual lynch mob though, because I feel that at our time of life we should all have learned that no matter what our differences and how differently we feel, we all support each other and respect each other. Having got through the growing up bit, the finding a job, maybe a partner too, working hard, maybe raising a family, possibly tending to aged parents, now maybe coping with aches and pains of old-age and possibly bereavement, we have such a wealth of human experience between us that teaches us that, whatever the colour of our favourite Political Party's flag, we all do share far more than we differ about. It is a time in life to support each other and a great time to show by example how to get along together even when we are from different viewpoints and different ends of the spectrum of whatever you choose the spectrum to be. The only way to make something work is to support each other and move forward together. I shall therefore borrow from our friends across the channel, so heartbroken at this time with the terrible destruction of of Notre Dâme de Paris, and quote:

"Vive la différence!"

Nonnie. I agree! It happened to me the first time i tried posting a thread. I responded - politely - to somebody's very biting put-down, which really hurt me and took me by surprise, explaining what I actually said, and in return had myself blamed for being unkind to them! It put me off GNet for quite a while. Then I realised that it was by no means the majority who did this and in fact I have really enjoyed and been grateful for the support of my GNet friends since recovering from that rather bad start!
Politics is an emotional subject though, which is why I always try to make sure people know I respect their views and do not expect people to agree with me. We learn by discussion after all. If anything I have difficulty respecting a person who says they cannot be bothered about politics meaning they do not try to understand what is happening and do not take the responsibility to vote. I do understand, though, how people became worn out by the tedious saga of Brexit which is of course still unresolved.
I couldn't agree more Varian that hearing other people's views in particular those who may vote for a very different Party to that which you support, is of great value. I wish we could hold "current events" discussion groups of the kind we had in the 6th form, when it was the topic not the Party Policy that was the subject, but the means of dealing with it would be examined in the light of different Party attitudes, always with respect for each.
I wish we could have more of a collaborative attitude to Policy making in Parliament and not the adversarial banter and shouting that goes on which is not constructive a lot of the time in my humble op. Our previous MP, now retired, Nick Palmer, used to promote this approach calingl it "Positive Politics".

pen50 I totally agree. I am the same!

I'm extremely interested in politics. However I tend to avoid posting on the subject in online forums because I am also extremely conflict avoidant and don't wish to attract a virtual lynch mob.

Politics has always played a prominent part in my life both academically and personally: from protesting against war in the sixties to the present day when I was recently a participant in a Citizens Assembly. Has anyone else however noticed a worrying trend to silence anyone who gently challenges anything regarding our political and social system. I have been excluded by the "leader" of a Current Affairs Group for airing issues for example around Climate Change, choosing not to buy from shops which don't pay their fair share of tax and sharing with other members my experiences of protests/demonstrations. I have been a member of this large organisation for many years and have enjoyed many of their diverse groups for older people and this is my first exclusion. Wondering how we are allowing this to happen.

Personally I am so sickened with politics these days I try to avoid discussing the subject.
It causes stress and everyone seems entrenched in their own views.
I do find the politics threads on here, and the non political ones where zealots bring in politics at every opportunity, extremely negative.

I would not be at all surprised if there are some shocks in the local and EU votes this time round. Some will think 'a plague on both your houses' about the main parties and will vote otherwise as a protest. There is a push to get Labour to promise a confirmatory vote if they win EU seats and that would make a lot of people vote for them, whether leavers or remainers as many feel it is the only way to heal the country. Although I do think there will be a very poor selection of candidates because there is no incentive to put yourself forward for a job which may not last more than a couple of months.

I’m very interested in politics and belong to a political party but having been on the receiving end of some objectionable responses to a post I made, I don’t think I’ll bother again!

I haven been involved in politics for many years,but have now left the party I supported, so some rest as local elections are near I will still vote, but I know who will be elected in my area not who I want but can no longer agree with the party I once worked so hard for

I was recently told that it's very unlikely Scotland would have got its first UKIP MEP if there had not been such a low turnout due, presumably, to apathy.

That's a very good post you quoted, grammargran.

I've not been following Brexit and certainly not commenting about it, as there's nothing I can do about it.
I do catch up with it from time to time.

Varian - wholeheartedly agree with you.

Urmstongran - one of the reasons people provide facts and links is to try to get to the truth. As regards people stating their opinion, with no supporting info, cannot expect to be believed. If I was to post on here IMO the earth is flat or the moon is made of cheese what do you imagine the comments would be? Might get a response from some flat earthers.

Beckett - for argument read discussion. Since I joined, only about a month ago, I've seen little sign of rudeness or abuse

If you avoid politics (do not vote or take an interest) you have no right to complain about the state of the nation. Every one should vote for the party that is closest to their beliefs. The main reason the British are relatively apathetic is I think down to the electoral system (FPTP) which tends to exclude the middle ground leaving so many of us feeling dis-enfranchised. Both main parties have migrated to the extremes of left and right. That is bad for the country.

I've always been interested and often involved in politics. I enjoyed the cut and thrust of debate (seldom abuse) across the Council chamber when I was a Borough Councillor. I felt I'd been shunted into the wilderness when the party I had served for so many years became involved in what I considered an ill-conceived coalition. However, they will still get my vote, and, if asked, I will put up a poster for them.

Agree with Becket

We all form our political opinions on the basis of our personal experiences but also on what we see, hear and read.

What I find sad is the unwillingness of some to listen go opposing views or read widely. You may prefer the comfort of your regular newspaper or social media echo chamber , but political issues are rarely simple and getting your information from a range of sources may open your eyes.

My view of politics is I know rather warped. This is due to having had to deal with complaints from politicians of all levels when I was working. Whilst they think they are helping their constituents they basically bullied not willing to accept that sometimes the law prevented them achieving the result they wanted. I have no respect for any of the them as they only undertake tasks to get votes. I do vote but try hard not to make it about the candidate but the party.

It's not that I'm not interested, it's just I'm embarrassed to be British at the moment due to the farcical nature of our politics and politicians.

I am very interested in politics and used to comment on social media (although I never have here), but I have stopped doing so since Brexit. I think Brexit has been horribly divisive, not helped by social media forums where the people who do comment are very unlikely to change their opinion, so it all just gets nasty and pointless. It is an interesting question though. I am not sure why some people are accusing the original poster of being patronising, I certainly didn't take it that way.

toscalily why should I not say what I think, you did? Whether or not varian chooses to respond has nothing to do with it. It is what I feel.

One of the other things which is irritating on these threads is when the person who has made the unpleasant comment and doesn't like the response, comes back with the 'hurt' comment. Choosing to portray themselves as a victim.