Are British Politics this bad? (house, theater, residential)

[mackinac81]

As you in Britain know, we're in the midst of our election, and I wondered if politics there ever gets this heated. I know many Britons have strong views of Blair and Thatcher, but here it feels like a quadrennial civil war without guns--ie, there's not just disagreement in the U.S. but genuine hatred and disdain for the other side. And the anger simmers in the meantime. If you don't believe me, go to the 2008 election forum. Frankly it's draining and sometimes makes me wish we had six week campaigns like you guys do.

So I ask, is British Politics as rough as it is here?

[ian6479]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

As you in Britain know, we're in the midst of our election, and I wondered if politics there ever gets this heated. I know many Britons have strong views of Blair and Thatcher, but here it feels like a quadrennial civil war without guns--ie, there's not just disagreement in the U.S. but genuine hatred and disdain for the other side. And the anger simmers in the meantime. If you don't believe me, go to the 2008 election forum. Frankly it's draining and sometimes makes me wish we had six week campaigns like you guys do.

So I ask, is British Politics as rough as it is here?

Not even close.. most Brits are not that bothered about politics. The kind of arguments and heated debates I have seen in the US would happen very rarely in comparison here.

[southdown]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

As you in Britain know, we're in the midst of our election, and I wondered if politics there ever gets this heated. I know many Britons have strong views of Blair and Thatcher, but here it feels like a quadrennial civil war without guns--ie, there's not just disagreement in the U.S. but genuine hatred and disdain for the other side. And the anger simmers in the meantime. If you don't believe me, go to the 2008 election forum. Frankly it's draining and sometimes makes me wish we had six week campaigns like you guys do.

So I ask, is British Politics as rough as it is here?

The way the systems differ make the UK's elections less of a media circus.

In the US, the pre-election selection process for choosing presidential candidates is one HUGE public event, immediately followed by the election process, all concentrated on a few central individuals, rather than local seats and whole party politics.

In the UK, the party leaders are selected (by the party members) and usually established well before an election - without too much fuss. Come election time, the Brits' attention is on voting for a local MP, and for a party - less than on the one leader.

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by ian6479

Not even close.. most Brits are not that bothered about politics. The kind of arguments and heated debates I have seen in the US would happen very rarely in comparison here.

Oh, please!

Your meetings in parliament are nothing if not the theater of the absurd. Constant shouting down anyone with whom they disagree and hemming and hawing from the peanut gallery. No one can even finish a sentence because they're being interrupted every five seconds, no one can get a word in edge wise. if seen a couple of these gatherings and I find myself shouting at the television, "Shut up!, Stop interrupting him and let him speak!".

Y'all finally got rid of the goofy wigs, hopefully parliament meeting reform is next.

[Yorkie Bar]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

Oh, please!

Y'all finally got rid of the goofy wigs, hopefully parliament meeting reform is next.

Nope, the goofy wigs are still there (Speaker & House of Lords + certain ceremonial roles). We need them, it distracts the attention of the US viewer from the bad teeth

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by Yorkie Bar

Nope, the goofy wigs are still there (Speaker & House of Lords + certain ceremonial roles). We need them, it distracts the attention of the US viewer from the bad teeth

awesome sense of humor, rep point for you. I was under the impression that the powdered wigs went the way of the dinosaur, no?

[LINCOLNSHIRE]

There certainly isn`t the animosity between supporters of different parties over here like I`ve seen between Dems and Reps on these forums..That can only be described as downright hatred..Amazing!!

[albion]

I can't get to grips with the power that the church seems to have in American politics
Does anyone know of any other western country where religion can wield that sort of power in an election.
When you take a good look at their tv evangelists you certainly have to wonder how this was allowed to happen
I'll take British politics thank you.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by LINCOLNSHIRE

There certainly isn`t the animosity between supporters of different parties over here like I`ve seen between Dems and Reps on these forums..That can only be described as downright hatred..Amazing!!

Downright hatred is right. The animosity between Democrats and Republicans gets worse every year.

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by albion

I can't get to grips with the power that the church seems to have in American politics
Does anyone know of any other western country where religion can wield that sort of power in an election.
When you take a good look at their tv evangelists you certainly have to wonder how this was allowed to happen
I'll take British politics thank you.

Linc,
You're right about the hatred on these forums, it's downright ugly. Civility is quickly forgotten when people can hide under the cloak of anonymity of their keyboard.

Albion,

Can you elaborate on your comments; they seem like thinly veiled Anti-christian bigotry, but I'm not sure. Say what you mean and mean what you say and we can go from there.