Preparedness - the continuation thread

moneyistooshorttomention

I thought it was a low-blow too to play the motherhood card by this "Angela person" as you call her GQ. Since when was being (or not being) a mother remotely relevant to ability (or otherwise) to be PM anyway? But it did feel like personally taunting May and I didnt think that was on. Add that she wasnt exactly striking me as a person of integrity anyway - and thats her done for imo...

Watching all the backstabbing between politicians I'm glad I "got outa it" personally years back - as I was finding that, even at the lowest levels of politics the "virtual dagger" got wielded at me a couple of times (ie man I was involved with putting up a rival candidate for a post against me:eek: - didnt work:D). So - I'd quail at the thought of the high level of that that goes on at "higher levels". Though Boris really should have seen Gove coming - and was warned.

maryb

By the way Mila there is a bit of a back story to the phrase "well they would say that wouldn't they?" There was a political scandal in the 1960s known as the Profumo affair. For reasons which are a bit complicated to explain, it ended up with two good time girls, Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice Davies giving evidence in court about goings on at a country house frequented by members of the Establishment.

It was put to Mandy by a very solemn barrister in wig and gown that "Establishment Figure" flatly denied having any connection with her. She replied cheerfully "Well he would say that, wouldn't he?" The court erupted in laughter. It marked the end of deference in many ways and the assumption that the great and good were above question

ivyleaf

GreyQueen wrote: »

I'd never even heard of this Angela person until she threw her hat into the ring. Theresa May is a long-time heavy hitter although I am no fan of the Conservative party. Angela person has just chosen to play the motherhood card, as in how having been one makes her the better candidate than Theresa (the Mays being involuntarily childless).

I think that's pretty despicable, as well as irrelevant, so she gets sent to the naughty step just for that. I think May will get it.

I had thought that if May won she might choose Leadsom as Chancellor....not much chnace of that now!

GQ Leadsom was part of the Brexit campaigning team, and when she took part in TV debates was very calm and sensible rather than shouting at the other side as so many people did. I rather liked her, though felt she didn't have enough experience to be PM. I've definitely gone off her now though :mad:!

Saipan

GreyQueen wrote: »

I'd never even heard of this Angela person until she threw her hat into the ring. Theresa May is a long-time heavy hitter although I am no fan of the Conservative party. Angela person has just chosen to play the motherhood card, as in how having been one makes her the better candidate than Theresa (the Mays being involuntarily childless).

I think that's pretty despicable, as well as irrelevant, so she gets sent to the naughty step just for that. I think May will get it.

Completely agree. The Andrea person (I had to check her name as I have never heard of her either, nor has anyone else I know - this says a lot about her political career to date, I feel) has previously advocated the withdrawal of the minimum wage, maternity/paternity leave and fundamental employees' rights (effectively, they could be hired and fired at will) from the workers employed by small businesses.

Aside from how this would open the door to unscrupulous and discriminatory employment practices that should be consigned to the past where they belong, statistically many of the employees affected would be the same women with children whom she claims - because it suits her political ambitions - to have some kind of superior suitability to occupy high office. You couldn't make it up.

And she has been caught out telling lies on her CV...

I have no truck with the Tories but Theresa May can at least draw on considerable experience in senior ministerial roles and as far as I know is not resorting to tactics that are blatantly divisive.

On another matter - one of my key prepping activities in the run-up to retirement (although it is still some way off) is to future-proof my home. This includes replacing my mattress - particularly important as I have an underlying back condition which is entirely manageable now but which would benefit from better support in the future.

Does anyone have any personal recommendations please?

Saipan

maryb wrote: »

This is going to be interesting. Boris has backed Andrea Leadsom who campaigned for Brexit with him. I suppose he could hardly do anything else. Theresa May has the backing of the vast majority of MPs but could find that out at the grassroots, Andrea appeals more to the members who now have the final say. She certainly seems to be intent on throwing them plenty of red meat -war on political correctness etc. I think the phrase is dog whistle politics

It won't be a rerun of Jeremy Corbyn's election by Labour. Even if people pay £25 to join the Conservative Party ( and a whole load of people have joined) they won't be eligible to vote. So it's not a question of Brexiteers piling in to sway the vote. On the other side of the divide it looks like the Labour MPs despair of forcing Corbyn's out because so many new people are joining and can vote they think he would win. At least it's doing wonders for both sides finances

As regards the candidates themselves, Theresa May has senior cabinet experience though doesn't seem to have made an enormous difference for the better. She has a reputation for being a micromanager and incapable of delegating. I've worked with some of those and they are impossible. It's all very well saying she would have to learn but what tends to happen in practice is that they get overwhelmed at just the wrong time sand say"you'll just have to deal with it yourself" (as if you are the problem!) just when you actually need their input!:rotfl:

But Andrea Leadsom does seem to have a well padded CV ( resume). Her camp are claiming that it's all a smear campaign Well they would say that wouldn't they? But I worked in the financial sector in the City for 35 years and it does have that ring to it. To give an e ample, she gave an interview in which she claimed to be the first woman appointed as a Director of an investment bank BZW. The implication was, she was appointed to the main Board. But BZW had directors like big American companies have vice-presidents

Sorry maryb, cross posted re: Andrea Leasom's CV.

maryb

Saipan if you are quick you can have a look at the clearance bargains in John Lewis and even if you are not ready to buy it will give you an idea of what you can get for your money in the sale. I have a pocketed sprung mattress and wouldn't go for anything else although people do say that Tempura (?) mattresses are good. I just don't like the idea of sleeping on something that has so many chemicals in it.

If you go for pocketed sprung, then more is better. John Lewis have a sort of basics range which includes a pocketed sprung mattress. We bought one for a guest bed and people say it's very comfortable but I find it a bit soft for my back because it doesn't have that many pockets. The one on our main bed is firmer but not hard and I really blessed it when I fractured a vertebra earlier this year

greenbee

Saipan - if money is no object I'd go with Vi-spring. And they're made in Plymouth.

maryb

Vi-spring is so good you make specific reference to it in your will!

Saipan

maryb wrote: »

Vi-spring is so good you make specific reference to it in your will!

Many thanks maryb and greenbee - looking at the websites now!

maryb

[QUOTE=ivyleaf;70965119

GQ Leadsom was part of the Brexit campaigning team, and when she took part in TV debates was very calm and sensible rather than shouting at the other side as so many people did. [/QUOTE]

Ivyleaf if you work in the City as a woman you learn to do this. Best bit of advice an older (female) partner gave me was to sit back and let the willy-wavers get it out of their system

It's a bit like the All Blacks doing their Maori dance before a rugby match

Mila, willy is a little boy's term in Britspeak. They of course think they are big swinging !!!!s:rotfl: