Forum Topic

so who cares if Mr. Cameron went abroad to enjoy a holiday?

He has done nothing significant to ease the growing troubles within the country.I think he likes to have all the attention of rushing back home,as though he is going to do something wonderful.We have been particularly unlucky to have politicians who will wring their hands in anger and then justify their in-actions. It has been good knowing you Mr Prime- minister but it would  be better getting rid of you if you think that the holiday abroad is well deserved.

Os A Whittle ● 4720d31 Comments

You're correct - they are delusional.Or at least some of them are.Most of them are in it for the things that Nigel describes.And if they are not to begin with when they first enter then access to the range of unreasonable perks and opportunities (large and small, now and in the future - including after they have left) enjoyed by them at our expense but denied to all of us soon turns their heads.

Tony Colliver ● 4716d

Not cynical Susan, just pragmatic.

Nigel Brooks ● 4716d

I wouldn't like to be as cynical as you, Nigel. I'm sure that plenty of people want to go into parliament because they believe they can make things better. That may make them delusional, of course.

Susan Kelly ● 4717d

Which begs the question why would they take the job if not for the perks, additional directors ships and self-aggrandisement. There is rarely any altruismm or sense of service for the greater good anymore.Anyone taking a job as an MP deserves NO sympathy.

Nigel Brooks ● 4717d

Their spouses also get fed up with their having taken a big pay cut to do a job that they might get sacked from in five years' time.

Susan Kelly ● 4717d

For that kind of bunce it may be worth considering.Especially if you have a researcher or two to fall back on...

Keith Iddon ● 4717d

It's not a job I would want, either here or in Kenya. Are you aware of the attrition rate on MP's marriages? And it's not because they're all shagging their researchers; their spouses just get fed up with never seeing them.

Susan Kelly ● 4717d

Keith, take a look at the full package for the Kenya 'M-Pigs' as many ordinary Kenyans have now christened them.£6,000 per month, a £100,000 loss of office payment, lifetime armed guard cover (If they didn't need it before, the need it now), staff including a chauffer and a fully-expensed car for life and, pathetically, priority boarding on all flights with unrestricted access to 'VIP' lounges.

Nigel Brooks ● 4717d

If you think our mps are overpaid have some of this.I heard earlier on R4 that Kenyan mps have voted themselves a wage of £6K per month as that amount will 'restore the dignity' to the position.All this in a country where the average wage is 20 quid a week.I wonder how much aid we send to them in a year?

Keith Iddon ● 4718d

"It's not a job I would want: far too much like hard work and no job security!"Maximum 4.5 day week, fabulous pension, guaranteed five year contract, end of contract severance payment. Subsidised bars, restaurants, health clubs, generous expenses.My heart bleeds for the poor little souls.

Nigel Brooks ● 4718d

Great pension though.

Keith Iddon ● 4718d

Most spend much of those 14 weeks dealing with constituency business. It's not a job I would want: far too much like hard work and no job security!

Susan Kelly ● 4718d

SusanMost take at least one day a week away from Westminster to deal with constituency business. Fourteen weeks is still excessive by any measure.

Nigel Brooks ● 4718d

They have two places of work, Nigel: Westminster and their constituencies. You are counting only the work they do at Westminster.

Susan Kelly ● 4718d

Oh please, my heart bleeds for the poor overworked soul who represent us at Westminster.Her Majesty opened the new parliamentary session on 8 May.They did a whole 13 days work before taking an 11 day break.Below are the holidays for this session.Whitsun 21 May 2013 3 June 2013 Summer 18 July 2013 2 September 2013 Conference 13 September 2013 8 October 2013 November 12 November 2013 18 November 2013 Christmas 19 December 2013 6 January 2014 That's FOURTEEN weeks holiday by my quick reckoning.Nice 'work' if you can get it!

Nigel Brooks ● 4718d

It is the culture they are 'brought up' in Susan...one of focus groups,quangos etc. and of letting themselves be led because they don't really have a mission or a vision of where they should be be taking their party and the country.That is not the appearance of weakness imo but it is weakness.Nothing to do with being macho.It doesn't help that most of them have never 'proper' job too.I also think that Dave deserves a holiday,as long as he doesn't claim it on expenses ;-)

Keith Iddon ● 4718d

I care.Every hard working person deserves a holiday. Our PM has an extremely difficult working life which is very responsible and worrying. The poor man is beginning to look frayed at the edges and careworn.  Give him a break - he and his family need some time together, free of the cares of the nation.

Gerry Tan ● 4718d

They are young men, all in their 40s, not brought up to be macho, which, to an older generation, makes them appear weak.

Susan Kelly ● 4718d

There's a delicate balance between a S-e-l and a wuss,which is what he comes across as.As does Nick Clegg and Miligram and all the rest.

Keith Iddon ● 4719d

That's the point, I think. Rather than stick with their convictions, politicians now do whatever they think will get them re-elected. As for Cameron not doing what people want, he's only not doing what the swivel-eyed loonies want.

Susan Kelly ● 4719d

The whole lot of them need a clear out.Bring back conviction politics.

Keith Iddon ● 4719d

Then he needs to sack his spin doctors for I see him doing not one thing for which the public are clamouring.

Nigel Brooks ● 4719d

Good points all, Keith. Blair was the first who gave the impression that he would do anything that his spin doctors said the public wanted and Cameron is from the same mould.

Susan Kelly ● 4719d

Maybe politicians were made of sterner stuff in them days,many of them having seen active service in war or the deprivation that war brings.They probably had fewer focus gropus,quangos and spin doctors to twist up their melon too.

Keith Iddon ● 4719d

Damn, I hate this forum app. The reply above was to Susan' post about 'Sunny Jim Callaghan''.

Nigel Brooks ● 4719d

That's probably because he did nothing.

Nigel Brooks ● 4719d

Thatch was another who seemed to look stronger after a couple of years.Incredible waht an image consultant can do.

Keith Iddon ● 4719d

There will always be some crisis going on, so by your reasoning the PM is never allowed to go on holiday and recharge his batteries. Have you never noticed how awful PMs look after a couple of years in the job? The only one I can remember who didn't look on the verge of a nervous breakdown two years in was 'Sunny' Jim Callaghan.

Susan Kelly ● 4719d

You are right Susan. Police  do a hard Job but their leave rotas were cancelled. Our Soldiers, and their loved ones do a job of worrying and praying too but Cuts and restrictions cause them much worry too. Our Pensioners are  not at all sure of tomorrows well being.In this present climate of Austerity families rearrange their holidays to take them in their home country. There are many many jobs can be done by remote control. I would not want that. If my family or someone close to me suffered a painful death like Young "Riggars"I am quite sure I would be in no mood to go dancing .A PM is someone to look up to as our leader. If he thought it was not necessary to be among his people so soon after this tragedy then who am I to object.? I will however have my say if i felt it was not the appropriate time.It may be that I am Old fashioned in that way, but i shall remember such insensitivity. I know you meant well Susan.

Os A Whittle ● 4720d

You are right Susan. Police  do a hard Job but their leave rotas were cancelled. Our Soldiers, and their loved ones do a job of worrying and praying too but Cuts and restrictions cause them much worry too. Our Pensioners are  not at all sure of tomorrows well being.In this present climate of Austerity families rearrange their holidays to take them in their home country. There are many many jobs can be done by remote control. I would not want that. If my family or someone close to me suffered a painful death like Young "Riggars"I am quite sure I would be in no mood to go dancing .A PM is someone to look up to as our leader. If he thought it was not necessary to be among his people so soon after this tragedy then who am I to object.? I will however have my say if i felt it was not the appropriate time.It may be that I am Old fashioned in that way, but i shall remember such insensitivity. I know you meant well Susan.

Os A Whittle ● 4720d

If you're referring to his return from France following the murder in Woolwich, then he was there on business, not holiday.As to his deserving holidays. Have you any conception of what a hard job he does? The PM is on call 24/7. I bet he spends the holidays he does have reading his boxes.

Susan Kelly ● 4720d