Can't get your whites white enough? Why not try new 'coalition white'!!

[PatrickOD]

which were .......... what ........?

I don't know what the consequences would be for him, mercia. I was thinking more of how he felt in himself after his outburst; whether he thinks it's ok to come the heavy in public; whether it would affect his relationships with colleagues and staff; whether it would cause alarm to his managers; whether it is appropriate behaviour for someone in a top position; whether he could have handled the situation better; and whether there might be pay back time for offence taken. I think most people regret making scenes, in their quieter moments.

[french frank]

I sense a new role - something about amusement in defending every aspect of the coalition to stimulate debate here rather than because of wholehearted conviction.

- though to suggest that disagreeing with you about the motives(?) of Mr Nunn amounts to defending the coalition seems rather unfair. I simply suggest - well, stronger, I maintain - that there is nothing solid to support the view that he was either attacking the coalition in any way or that he objected to the very presence of the cameras and journalists.

The behaviour of Mr Nunn can hardly be viewed as an assault

Not exactly what I said. I said that I regarded shouting at people in anger as a form of assault. If you disagree, then you could say that you don't think that shouting at people in anger is a form of assault: you shouldn't suggest that I said Mr Nunn's behaviour was an assault.

As I've said, everone enjoys seeing unpopular politicians discomfited . But here I see nothing but the antics of a prima donna not a defence of the NHS or the ward patients.

My only disappointment with the outcome was that Gillian Duffy didn't appear. I'd have loved to have seen her with arms outstretched at the door stopping them from leaving until a few questions had been answered.

The mention of Gillian Duffy is à propos. I felt quite sympathetic towards Mr Brown, though he was unwise, even in the 'privacy' of his limousine, to use the word 'bigoted'. But I wonder in what ways people actually agree with what Mrs Duffy was saying? Was she right to complain about having to pay tax on her late husband's pension? Was she right that there are too many Eastern European immigrants here? Was she right in demanding to know how Mr Brown was going to cut the deficit? (There's an interesting one - he replied that Labour intended to half the deficit in four years: I wonder how he was going to do that?) I wonder whether Mrs Duffy would have asked Mr Cameron how the coalition was going to reduce the deficit? Mrs Duffy for chancellor?

Here's what I would say: People cheered Mrs Duffy (even though they would disagree with her views) because she embarrassed Gordon Brown. People cheered David Nunn because they claimed he was attacking the coalition leaders - even though there was no evidence that that was his intention.

[aeolium]

People cheered David Nunn because they claimed he was attacking the coalition leaders - even though there was no evidence that that was his intention.

I doubt it. I think people just like seeing a photo-opportunity which has been carefully choreographed by the politicians' spin-machine thrown into disarray (as with the Brown/Duffy incident).

[french frank]

I blame television

[Lateralthinking1]

Yes, you are right on the "assault" point. You did say "form of" and I misquoted you. Not deliberate.

I mentioned Mrs Duffy because I remembered your views on her the last time round. Thought it might put a spark into the discussion.

Do you remember Dandy Nichols? For some reason, she reminds me of her.

http://images.tvrage.com/people/48/143110.jpg

I don't agree with her views but I love what she is, ie not a television or radio interviewer. I would like to see a wide range of people being allowed to interview politicians in a studio for 10 minutes like Paxman or Humphreys.

Why? Because the MPs have got their style of questioning worked out in their heads whereas no amount of briefing could prepare them for the individuality of the public!