Forum Topic

Characteristics and personalities of a Socialist leader?

What character and personality should a good political leader have? What are the essential qualities should such a leader possess?

Gerry Tan ● 3900d8 Comments

"This election is really creating some political and tactical discussion!"  :o)Yes well Phillipa,what did you expect?   There are some truly stupid pre conceptions about the class system that we have in the UK (esp. in Ealing it seems).  Evidently it's against the law to have any trace of wealth and at the same time claim to be a socialist ( I know my place), it's much cosier to have a cabinet full of Old Etonions to look up to, you never know one day someone from the working class (I really hate that expression!) may join them, around about the same time that elephants become ballerinas!  It is I'm afraid quite futile to try and argue the points sensibly against the aspirationals.

Tony Wood ● 3898d

Me too SusanDonna

Donna Fraser ● 3899d

I come from a genuinely poor and under-privileged background, which is why I know better than to vote for socialism.

Susan Kelly ● 3899d

I'm not sure which of the four contenders for the leadership of the Socialists I would favour - they all are mediocre imo. The Tories must be laughing all the way to the next election.  We'll see what transpires - watch this space. Incidentally, I'm an uncommitted voter.

Gerry Tan ● 3899d

I cannot understand why some socialist politicians attempt to conceal their middle/upper class backgrounds.  After all you have no choice of your parents and their lifestyles and, as a youngster, you are most unlikely to develop and political leanings until your education is well advanced.I can't say I agreed with his views but Tony Benn was clearly a committed socialist who did not feel it necessary to hide his privileged roots.

Philip Coe ● 3899d

The two current leading "socialist leaders" north and south of the border (Jeremy Corbyn and Kezia Dugdale)  share some quite common traits: - They both describe themselves as “working class” but neither have ever had a really job outside of politics / trade unions- They were both born to middle class families but seem to obfuscate this at every opportunity. Dugdale talks about her first hand experience of poverty but is the daughter of two teachers – as teachers earn above the median wage it means her family is undoubtedly much better off than those really living in poverty. After doing her A-Levels she then went on to study law – hardly an authentic “working class” experience. Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn grew up in a 7 bedroom manor house in Shropshire and has managed to dodge having a normal job for almost all of his adult life.- Neither have a clue about the economy or business – but are still committed to “anti austerity” in which a Labour magic money tree will shower the country with free money – and Corbyn has effectively said he’ll sack the Governor of the Bank of England if s/he fails to make good this commitment.So basically what we have with Labour are people that are born into wealth, have never worked themselves but are committed to fleecing those who do and if their last term in office is anything to go by, are almost certain to ruin the lives of many who do work.

Ian Ellis ● 3899d

This election is really creating some political and tactical discussion!

Philippa Bond ● 3899d

An infinite capacity for self delusion?

Susan Kelly ● 3899d