2019 General Election

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
A week to go?

Nope

The postal vote is massive, and the postal voters are generally the old, and the old who actually vote are by a large majority, Conservatives

They've already voted . It's done
That's true, though I suspect that anyone that's voted already wouldn't have been inclined to switch to another party in the latter stages of the election in any case.

Anyway, I've just received my notification from the council that I'm proxy-voting for my daughter. I'll have to find out where she wants me to put her "X" (that's always assuming she doesn't want me to draw a cock and balls :embarrass: ).
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
There is an interesting anomaly in the whole 'old people vote Conservative' trope that is even more interesting when applied to the accepted wisdom that the same cohort voted Leave.

My parents are now above 80 years old, which means that they were actually alive when Europe was last in turmoil.

My Mother very vividly remembers cowering under the stairs as the bombers flew overhead; my Father was evacuated from just around the corner.

When you get past the Boomers who make up the Faragist Troop of Foot, you actually find an uptick of the real Old Guard who lived through it, who wouldn't wish it on anyone.
 

Goldilox

How do I edit this?
There is an interesting anomaly in the whole 'old people vote Conservative' trope that is even more interesting when applied to the accepted wisdom that the same cohort voted Leave.

My parents are now above 80 years old, which means that they were actually alive when Europe was last in turmoil.

My Mother very vividly remembers cowering under the stairs as the bombers flew overhead; my Father was evacuated from just around the corner.

When you get past the Boomers who make up the Faragist Troop of Foot, you actually find an uptick of the real Old Guard who lived through it, who wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I've seen the point made before that the BP/UKIP love of second world war rhetoric is down to the fact that very few of them actually lived through the conflict, but many of them grew up in the 50s playing with toy spitfires and watching Jack Hawkins films.

Given that the first cohort of baby boomers coming of age is what prompted the summer of love, you have to wonder what happened between 1967 and 2017 to cause so many of them to lose any trace of that idealism.
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
You have to question the sanity of anyone that stands back and goes yeah, I want Boris to be my Prime Minister.
Oooh, more insults. That'll bring you some more votes I'm sure.

Personally I'd have preferred Rory Stewart but as he ain't on offer ....
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I've seen the point made before that the BP/UKIP love of second world war rhetoric is down to the fact that very few of them actually lived through the conflict, but many of them grew up in the 50s playing with toy spitfires and watching Jack Hawkins films.

Given that the first cohort of baby boomers coming of age is what prompted the summer of love, you have to wonder what happened between 1967 and 2017 to cause so many of them to lose any trace of that idealism.
A lot of the members of the "We did this, We did that, Brigade" often have a rather sparse understanding of what others actually did do, leading to such amusements as using a Polish Spitfire to illustrate an anti-immigration poster.

article-1221619-06E41C72000005DC-462_634x437.jpg


And, I note, not having the flag seen through the BNP lettering arranged quite right...
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
A lot of the members of the "We did this, We did that, Brigade" often have a rather sparse understanding of what others actually did do, leading to such amusements as using a Polish Spitfire to illustrate an anti-immigration poster.
Love it.

Quite coincidentally, this boardgame featuring 303 Squadron appeared on my FB timeline yesterday. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hobbity/303-squadron-board-game (Yes, I do still play with toy Spitfires; you want to see what I'm getting for Christmas. Maybe it's about time I moved on to drones instead.)

Waterloo? Probably less than 40% of Wellington's army was British - and that ignores the contribution of the Prussians. And there were a significant number of Commonwealth troops at the Somme and Dunkirk as well. (Not sure about Trafalgar and the Falklands.)
 

BobClay

Well-Known Forumite
The Gurkhas were certainly in the Falklands … much to the distress of the Argentinian army which was made up mainly of raw recruits. Not a welcome prospect to come out of basic training and find yourself facing some of the toughest soldiers in the world.
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite
Not sure about Trafalgar

Sailors serving in Nelsons fleet at Trafalgar included a significant number of black sailors from the West Indies and Africa, and sailors from America, Prussia, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Ireland, Malta, Austria, Italy, one Mexican and sailors from Spain & France. There were also a significant number of women. On the Victory alone there were 22 nationalities serving.


Edit. Having just gone through surnames beginning with A on the list of "British" seamen serving in Nelson's fleet I can add Holland, Belgium, Canada, Portugal, India, & South Africa. West Indies include Jamaica, St Domingo, Virgin Islands & Grenada ...
 
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BobClay

Well-Known Forumite
It's also worth bearing in mind that many of the crew in the RN back then were pressed from any number of busy ports around the UK. Which means any number of nationalities from the world over as seafarers would go ashore but find considerable difficulty in getting past the nearest bar, a favourite destination for the Press Gangs. :heyhey: And most of the ships in those ports would me merchant ships, so a good source of skilled and experienced seafarers was up for grabs.

I myself have sailed with Chinese, Indian, Filipino crews on British flagged ships and also some from Iran, Sir Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa and any number of African countries I can't remember.

As you've probably noticed from recent events, the flag on the 'blunt end' of the ship doesn't really indicate the pure nationality of the crew, even for the RN in days gone by.
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Given that the first cohort of baby boomers coming of age is what prompted the summer of love, you have to wonder what happened between 1967 and 2017 to cause so many of them to lose any trace of that idealism.
Cocaine and Heroin, not necessarily in that order.
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
And I've had a few more today.

Firstly a Labour leaflet presumably pushed through the letterbox by one of Jeremy's little elves. And now the postman's delivered some more, all personally addressed - Labour leaflets for me and my daughter and a Tory one for my better half (what do they know?!??).

Still no sign of anything from the also-rans.
And still they come.

My better half had a different leaflet from Labour through the post on Saturday, and we got another one from the Tories today addressed to me and my daughter (I was quite impressed it was just the one leaflet rather than one each. Save paper; save the world.).

The latest Tory leaflet has several pictures of Boris. Noticeable that neither Labour leaflet has a photo of Jeremy (can't think why :rolleyes: ).
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite
we got another one from the Tories today addressed to me and my daughter (I was quite impressed it was just the one leaflet rather than one each.

Funnily enough a Tory leaflet was delivered today to Mrs Noah & her son - different surnames - but I didn't get one. Rather strange selection process.
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
Apparently, Boring Boris is going to be at the JCB plant in Rugeley tomorrow, (at least I think it's the Rugeley 1).
Someone there has spent the majority of today making a door out of polystyrene, just so the PM can bash thru it. Not too sure if he's going be using a sledge hammer or digger. Could use his head for all I care.
 

Studio Tan

Well-Known Forumite
Apparently, Boring Boris is going to be at the JCB plant in Rugeley tomorrow, (at least I think it's the Rugeley 1).
Someone there has spent the majority of today making a door out of polystyrene, just so the PM can bash thru it. Not too sure if he's going be using a sledge hammer or digger. Could use his head for all I care.

They're @£$%ing pathetic aren't they ! I think the Chuckle Brothers could have mounted a more dignified campaign.
On a more serious note, wonder when the tories will spring their 'Zinoviev Letter' ?
 
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