Whatever the result tomorrow, Cameron has to ditch Osborne FAST

Entertainer

nickmason wrote: »

Why does natural sciences and economics outscore law or PPE?

Economics for running the economy and Natural Sciences is the toughest degree at Cambridge, probably in the whole country, barring Medicine and I would back the skills learnt as a scientist (although I'm biased it was my degree.) The others basically have little relevance, maybe law if you were running the Home Office and deciding criminal justice policy or whether to torture people or not (useful for possible war crimes trials). I've no doubt these people are gifted with I'm sure some "transferable skills" but they are essentially professional politicians, which is the biggest problem with politics in my mind when they have to deal with complex things like global finance and business.

nickmason

Entertainer wrote: »

Economics for running the economy and Natural Sciences is the toughest degree at Cambridge, probably in the whole country, barring Medicine and I would back the skills learnt as a scientist (although I'm biased it was my degree.) The others basically have little relevance, maybe law if you were running the Home Office and deciding criminal justice policy or whether to torture people or not (useful for possible war crimes trials). I've no doubt these people are gifted with I'm sure some "transferable skills" but they are essentially professional politicians, which is the biggest problem with politics in my mind when they have to deal with complex things like global finance and business.

Credit for the honest admission that it was your degree - but I think that PPE (ie Philosophy - for logic, clarity of decision; Politics - for an understanding of difference perspectives/experiences/gov frameworks, Economics - as you say for running the economy) must be at least as appropriate; although (and it was mine!) I do think it's probably over-represented, given the list I posted!

Sadly the legal framework is so complex that it is no surprise that so many politicians are ex-lawyers.

I think the key point remains that politicians should have more experience of the real world. Many do, but many don't know the reality of getting the best from staff, or the difficulties of laying people off, for example. Or how to provide best service for customers - and hence the people. I would wager that most Conservative politicians haven't worked in a unionised workforce, and most Labour politicians haven't run a business, for instance.

Entertainer

PasturesNew wrote: »

I don't even know what natural sciences or PPE are/mean!

I was educated at Cambridge ... 2 O levels then secretarial college (as I was a girl). I didn't even know what the University was/was for. All I knew was "they're rich people" and I knew that when you drove past them on their bike, in your car, in the rain and splashed them (big time), they protested in a most plummy voice. Oh the fun we had .... standing at the kebab van at night seeing these gimps wearing dickie ties and girls in shiny dresses!

I've gatecrashed loads of their posh balls too... about six different colleges
Oh - and nicked the punts to take them for a midnight punt up river.
Big up to the rebel!

Natural Sciences is more complicated that it sounds, it's just an integrated science degree. It is more or less the only way to study science at Cambridge- you study the range of sciences so modules in physics, biology, chemistry etc specialising later on. It is a very tough degree because whereas people at other universities are doing just physics or biochemistry for example, NatScis are studying them all to the same standard. Hence they look knackered alot of the time.:o Good accomplishment though, kind of like being in the SAS!!:T

nickmason

Ah, Natsci's. I'd forgotten that. and Mathmo's.

It should probably be noted that PPE was also known as general studies, or the blaggers degree....

MiserlyMartin

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

Cameron is just another Tony Blair.

Besides that the Tories have no real policies they are prepared to shout about (I wonder why?!!).

Sorry, I don't wonder why at all. They don't shout about it because they wouldn't get elected..

The only thing they plan is a cull & to make their mates richer.

Completely uninformed inaccurate post... You obviously have not been listening to or watching any of the Conservatives campaign at all. Do you watch the news? A good place to start is BBC Parliament. Or go to www.bbc.co.uk and there is a breakdown of all parties manifestos. If you want to see Camerons campaigns go to www.conservatives.com !

BTW: Nick Clegg is another Blair, good on gloss but lacking in detail. Plus his wife is another Cherie Blair, it really is Blair Mk II!

Entertainer

nickmason wrote: »

Credit for the honest admission that it was your degree - but I think that PPE (ie Philosophy - for logic, clarity of decision; Politics - for an understanding of difference perspectives/experiences/gov frameworks, Economics - as you say for running the economy) must be at least as appropriate; although (and it was mine!) I do think it's probably over-represented, given the list I posted!

Sadly the legal framework is so complex that it is no surprise that so many politicians are ex-lawyers.

I think the key point remains that politicians should have more experience of the real world. Many do, but many don't know the reality of getting the best from staff, or the difficulties of laying people off, for example. Or how to provide best service for customers - and hence the people. I would wager that most Conservative politicians haven't worked in a unionised workforce, and most Labour politicians haven't run a business, for instance.

Yes I've probably done you and PPE a disservice for which I humbly apologise but it does tend to wind me a up a little with it's acronymism and the fact that so many politicians have it on their CVs.

Btw, have you got a blog up somewhere for your electioneering exploits? I didn't do any canvassing this time unlike in 2005 and I kind of missed it (unfortunately, I want them all to lose in 2010:mad:.)

reduceditem

Who cares about his CV?

He's a clot and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a cabinet meeting, never mind 11 Downing Street.

nickmason

Entertainer wrote: »

Yes I've probably done you and PPE a disservice for which I humbly apologise but it does tend to wind me a up a little with it's acronymism and the fact that so many politicians have it on their CVs.

Btw, have you got a blog up somewhere for your electioneering exploits? I didn't do any canvassing this time unlike in 2005 and I kind of missed it (unfortunately, I want them all to lose in 2010:mad:.)

Not really for my electioneering, but I do occasionally blog at https://www.nickmason.org.uk
Not as often as I should though!!

MiserlyMartin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYFdXiS-wdM&feature=player_embedded

This is a good one. I challenge any Labour supporter to watch it and come back amd claim they will still vote Labour.

Entertainer

MiserlyMartin wrote: »

Completely uninformed inaccurate post... You obviously have not been listening to or watching any of the Conservatives campaign at all. Do you watch the news? A good place to start is BBC Parliament. Or go to www.bbc.co.uk and there is a breakdown of all parties manifestos. If you want to see Camerons campaigns go to www.conservatives.com !

BTW: Nick Clegg is another Blair, good on gloss but lacking in detail. Plus his wife is another Cherie Blair, it really is Blair Mk II!

Nick Clegg's wife is way hotter than Cherie.

http://www.diariovasco.com/prensa/noticias/200712/19/fotos/046D3GENP2_1.jpg

Samantha Cameron :T
Miriam Gonzalez :T
Cherie