Calm down dear

[Pavilionaire]

Is there any point to PMQs?

I turn on the news to find out about the issues of the day and see the headlines are all about this stupid "sexist" row.

What is the f***ing point of politicians? Can anyone seriously tell me?

 

[hitony]

Political debate on a messageboard........12 pages at least by this time tomorrow

 

[Giraffe]

Difference to what ?

I was simply suggesting that his advisers won't be happy.

Ultimately politicians are there to run government for as long as possible. This won't lose any votes. It may even appeal to many. Turning the economy around will win votes not being tied in a straight jacket so you can't make a joke now and again.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Most people are simply preoccupied trying to make a living out of this economic mess we find ourselves in. They can't even be arsed to get into the spirit with the Royal Wedding, and that IS quite a big deal. So why the f*** would anyone give two shits about CMD and his "calm down dear" comments?

It's just plain DULL.

 

[clapham_gull]

Ultimately politicians are there to run government for as long as possible. This won't lose any votes. It may even appeal to many. Turning the economy around will win votes not being tied in a straight jacket so you can't make a joke now and again.

I think in reality image is very important to politicians these days, which is a shame.

They target particular groups - especially around election time. Like every Prime minister he will be surrounded by people who make a living out of it.

If Cameron isn't concerned with his image, why on earth did he hang onto Andy Coulson for so long ?

His advisers will be worried about it's potential effect on the female vote and will have a word.

Whether his has an effect or not in reality to his popularity is irrelevant to my argument, his advisers will not be happy.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

At least the Telegraph reports the row by giving proper respect to women.

 

[alan partridge]

Sexist? maybe

Patronising? definitely

Would be pretty annoyed if someone spoke to me like that in a meeting or public arena

this. As would anyone.

 

[ROSM]

For anybody on here debating this, to understand exactly how this will be perceived you need to look at the faces around Cameron when he said it.

Osborne looks like a baying hyena whilst Clegg looks very very uncomfortable even to the point of having to scratch an itch which body language experts say is a 'tell' of lack of comfort. It did not land well and will polarise opinion best as is clear on he where the fairly vocal Tory supporters have defended and the usually vocal labour supporters have criticised it. It's how it plays in the middle ground, and area that Clegg knows well, which will count and his reaction seems to give a view of that.

It also needs to be remembered the context that this came in. Cameron was quoting a letter by a former labour mp who is a gp, stating that his gp colleagues supported the nhs reforms. He started by referring to him as an ex labour mp who lost his seat at the last election and Angela Eagle corrected him by saying he stood down. It was at that point that the 'calm down dear' line was uttered and the barracking started.

It will be perceived by many as patronising, the leader of mumsnet has said that herself based on feedback from her members. It was a poor choice of a line and will be jumped upon as a sign that Cameron's mask is slipping. Anybody who has worked with him especially when he was at ITV will tell you that this is the real him rather that the carefully stage managed Cameron we have seen for the last couple of years. Since Coulson has left these real moments are coming more frequently.

 

[ROSM]

I genuinely forgot the labour leaders name for a moment he is so anonymous. I hear he is having an operation on his voice though so he can talk properly?

And this explains why public perception is important. You have formed an opinion and therefore your view of him and events is colourded by that. The operations is to cure sleep apnoea which is potentially fatal. Of course you perceive this to be to get his voice sorted. No discussion on substance, or policy or record when in office.

You have just proved Clapham's point for him

 

[tedebear]

For anybody on here debating this, to understand exactly how this will be perceived you need to look at the faces around Cameron when he said it.

Osborne looks like a baying hyena whilst Clegg looks very very uncomfortable even to the point of having to scratch an itch which body language experts say is a 'tell' of lack of comfort. It did not land well and will polarise opinion best as is clear on he where the fairly vocal Tory supporters have defended and the usually vocal labour supporters have criticised it. It's how it plays in the middle ground, and area that Clegg knows well, which will count and his reaction seems to give a view of that.

It also needs to be remembered the context that this came in. Cameron was quoting a letter by a former labour mp who is a gp, stating that his gp colleagues supported the nhs reforms. He started by referring to him as an ex labour mp who lost his seat at the last election and Angela Eagle corrected him by saying he stood down. It was at that point that the 'calm down dear' line was uttered and the barracking started.

It will be perceived by many as patronising, the leader of mumsnet has said that herself based on feedback from her members. It was a poor choice of a line and will be jumped upon as a sign that Cameron's mask is slipping. Anybody who has worked with him especially when he was at ITV will tell you that this is the real him rather that the carefully stage managed Cameron we have seen for the last couple of years. Since Coulson has left these real moments are coming more frequently.

Why on earth does 3 little words warrant such a lengthy reponse. I think its firmly in the "Labour has to pick on every little thing it can" camp at the moment, tis the only way it would get a word in..

Frankly I found it funny, and so should a lot of other people.

 

[skipper734]

He obviously hasn't got the Man on the Clapham Omnibus on his side.The man on the Clapham omnibus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[The Spanish]

harmans face was a picture. now cameron is a total cnt but my enemies enemy is my friend and all that. can you think of anything more incendiary to her than some slightly patronising and sexist comments. you could stab a puppy in front of her and she wouldnt take as much umbrage.

pmqs is a knockabout farce and bercow was embarrassed - i would guess a shake up of all this silliness is just round the corner.

 

[BLOCK F]

Sexist? maybe

Patronising? definitely

Would be pretty annoyed if someone spoke to me like that in a meeting or public arena

You poor sensitive soul.Suggest you loosen those tight shorts a bit,you might feel better.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Frankly I found it funny, and so should a lot of other people.

It is about intent. It was intended to belittle. It is a comment that says "the grown-ups are speaking now" - this is not a place for you.

And three words can be most offensive - so I am not sure why it is surprising three words generate a lenghty response. Especially when it is attempting to put them into context.

 

[DJ Leon]

Why on earth does 3 little words warrant such a lengthy reponse.

Because it's modern politics and things like these win and lose you votes. You're not offended by it which is great, but others are. And you're deluding yourself if you think that Cameron takes this lightly too - patronising a woman over being corrected on a point of fact. Not good.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.'

Churchill
​

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

At least the Telegraph reports the row by giving proper respect to women.

To be fair - that is a good question.

 

[Common as Mook]

Why on earth does 3 little words warrant such a lengthy reponse. I think its firmly in the "Labour has to pick on every little thing it can" camp at the moment, tis the only way it would get a word in..

Frankly I found it funny, and so should a lot of other people.

This. Noisy losers YET again and ROSM is the worst. The economy is growing and labour need something to shoot at. This reverse snobbery is a joke too. He said 'calm down dear' because he went to Eton? Do f*** off

 

[NMH]

To be fair - that is a good question.

While they are sat there, they are OUR boobs

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Difference to what ?



It's one of those lines given to a politician by a script writer, part of his kit bag if you like. Thatcher was terrible at delivering them (remember), especially when they referred to popular culture.

So his advisers will be pissed off, they've given him a bullet and he has fired it at the wrong moment.

That is because Thatcher said what she thought,did her thing and got results.