Plebs 0 Toffs 1?

[ahinton]

Dennis Skinner, a proud and dauntless Man of the Left if ever there were one, is always going on about 'toffs' and sometimes Ed feels the need to rally the troops and indulge in the same nonsense. Cameron does the same with his being 'tough with Europe' .. a godsend to the ears of the largely xenophobic 'right'.

Don't you mean "toff" with Europe? - or, better still, "tawff"?

This left and right thing is getting exceedingly tiresome. When each is paraded with intent to insult either the addressee, or those who represent either the left or the right, or both, the reference descends into mere slanging-match material; this is all the more apparent when adjectivally adorned, such as in the phrases "loony left" and "xenophobic right" which seek to imply that all those of left-wing persuasion are "loonies" and all those of right-wing ditto "xenophobic". If, however, the words, "Socialist" and "Tory" were used as substitutes for "left" and "right", would as many people as easily conclude that they're similarly being used as mere tools of divisiveness and insult?

As I mentioned earlier, however, the demarcation lines between left and right are far less clear and the gulf between them much narrower than once they were in Britain.

[Serial_Apologist]

As I mentioned earlier, however, the demarcation lines between left and right are far less clear and the gulf between them much narrower than once they were in Britain.

Parliamentarily speaking, yes.

[teamsaint]

Only the growing possibility that some politicians don't lie, that some OB do tell porkies and because of that innocent people suffer. Similar old story, but not the one you want to hear in this case.

Ah, so I didn't miss anything.

What is the story I want to hear? Let me know, because I haven't decided yet, so it would be a help.

[scottycelt]

Don't you mean "toff" with Europe? - or, better still, "tawff"?

This left and right thing is getting exceedingly tiresome. When each is paraded with intent to insult either the addressee, or those who represent either the left or the right, or both, the reference descends into mere slanging-match material; this is all the more apparent when adjectivally adorned, such as in the phrases "loony left" and "xenophobic right" which seek to imply that all those of left-wing persuasion are "loonies" and all those of right-wing ditto "xenophobic". If, however, the words, "Socialist" and "Tory" were used as substitutes for "left" and "right", would as many people as easily conclude that they're similarly being used as mere tools of divisiveness and insult?

As I mentioned earlier, however, the demarcation lines between left and right are far less clear and the gulf between them much narrower than once they were in Britain.

Well, any objective observer who seriously reads my posts will immediately recognise that I, unlike some other members, go to great pains not to 'insult', though I'm not averse to some serious ribbing!

You may well find some difficulty in distinguishing between Left and Right. I and many others simply do not experience that difficulty in exactly the same way as we can just about tell the difference between hot and cold water... that's not to say there are no degrees in between!

As a matter of interest, let's for a moment forget the usual political divide ... John Redwood and Ken Clarke are still in the same Tory party ... are you telling us it is now impossible to tell the difference in viewpoint?

[Serial_Apologist]

John Redwood and Ken Clarke are still in the same Tory party ... are you telling us it is now impossible to tell the difference in viewpoint?

Er... one doesn't know the words to Land of My Fathers, while the other one likes jazz?

[scottycelt]

Er... one doesn't know the words to Land of My Fathers, while the other one likes jazz?

Well, that's at least an encouraging, if somewhat tentative, start in successfully establishing a few undeniable facts with some members, I suppose ... :laugh:

[An_Inspector_Calls]

Ah, so I didn't miss anything.

What is the story I want to hear? Let me know, because I haven't decided yet, so it would be a help.

there there, dear, you wouldn't understand.

[teamsaint]

there there, dear, you wouldn't understand.

great argument. well done.
as ever with you, its a quick retreat to abuse .

Again,care to tell me what the story is that I want to hear?

[Bryn]

The Channel 4 News coverage does seem to have opened a rather sizable can of worms.

[scottycelt]

I'm not Nick Robinson's greatest fan, and he has his own media axe to grind, but ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20776469

Yup ... politics, politics, politics, politics ... nothing more or less.

[Bryn]

Please scottycelt, nothing more nor less.

[scottycelt]

:grr:

Please scottycelt, nothing more nor less.

Are you really a TOFF? ... :oh:

I've always understood 'nor' had to follow 'neither' (or precede it) but 'us' plebs are always willing to learn ... :blush:

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

:grr:

Are you really a TOFF? ... :oh:

I've always understood 'nor' had to follow 'neither' (or precede it) but 'us' plebs are always willing to learn ... :blush:

Please, please; it's we plebs.

[ahinton]

Please, please; it's we plebs.

Maybe that's why scotty put ' ' either side of "us".

Anyway, whilst "plebby" might sound and indeed be somewhat unattractive, surely "toffee" is far more appealing?...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Ah, yes. Of course. I stand corrected having missed the irony. Sorry, scotty.