Profile on John McDonnell

[ardcarp]

Interesting and I hope unbiased programme on Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bgvdmh

Maybe a welcome diversion from Boris immersion......

[Padraig]

Stop Toby! Back Lassie! Bold dogs!

[Serial_Apologist]

Half of the programme was pretty anti, as I was indeed half-expecting. The programme makers could easily have brought on a few sympathetic people, apart from his family, and, er, Ken Livingstone. Marks? 4 out of 10.

[LMcD]

One for the 'Speech Radio' thread? Just before I nodded off again, I learned that Mr M can produce a mean lemon curd.

[french frank]

Half of the programme was pretty anti, as I was indeed half-expecting. The programme makers could easily have brought on a few sympathetic people, apart from his family, and, er, Ken Livingstone. Marks? 4 out of 10.

I thought they only found one person who criticised him - Tom Harris. What came over was that he was the brains at the top of the Labour Party. Whatever Harris said against him, I thought Cowley countered with as many quotes which were by no means critical (nor would one expect them to be). Livingstone praised his competence rather than his 'wild hard left' credentials.

As someone who thought of McDonnell as a Labour dinosaur, I altered my view. I found the portrait sympathetic.

[ardcarp]

...a dinosaur in a sheep's clothing perhaps? I really don't know. Like you, I was sympathetic to much of what was said; but I'm slightly worried about a 'hidden agenda'. He's probably the smartest political operator in the Labour Party at the moment [um].

[eighthobstruction]

....Seumus Milne is the one to look out for....

[DracoM]

....Seumus Milne is the one to look out for....

And to my surprise, also Owen Jones.
Is it panic that is making them shout louder?

[eighthobstruction]

And to my surprise, also Owen Jones.
Is it panic that is making them shout louder?

....i think it might be theory....too much theory.... and blinkers....

....though i quite like Owen Jones when he isn't simplifying too much....

[teamsaint]

...a dinosaur in a sheep's clothing perhaps? I really don't know. Like you, I was sympathetic to much of what was said; but I'm slightly worried about a 'hidden agenda'. He's probably the smartest political operator in the Labour Party at the moment [um].

I’m going to start a list of politicians who I am sure don’t have a hidden agenda.







Sorry, I’ll be back to the list after tonights Sea Symphony........feel feee to start without me.

[french frank]

Is it panic that is making them shout louder?

A loaded question? When things get desperate you may have to shout - but it very much depends what those 'things' are. Anger, indignation, rebellion just as likely as panic?

[eighthobstruction]

A loaded question? When things get desperate you may have to shout - but it very much depends what those 'things' are. Anger, indignation, rebellion just as likely as panic?

.....yes, when we see what is happening at mo'....nhs, education, prolonged and biting austerity in all it's guises, universal credit, lack of social mobility, lousy low paid work without prospects etc etc etc ....yes i see what you mean [or what i believe you meant]

[french frank]

yes i see what you mean [or what i believe you meant]

Sometimes, denunciation is all that's left. Is Welby saying anything different from McDonnell when it comes to social justice and concern for least well off?

[Tony Halstead]

Sometimes, denunciation is all that's left. Is Welby saying anything different from McDonnell when it comes to social justice and concern for least well off?

Absolutely agreed!
BUT, sorry to be obtrusive especially as this thread has become fascinating... am I right in thinking that we aren't supposed to discuss 'politics' on these boards?

[Stanfordian]

Interesting and I hope unbiased programme on Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bgvdmh

Maybe a welcome diversion from Boris immersion......

Who's John McDonnell? Never erd of im!