Mumsnet Talk

Since when did MN show support for political candidates?

Why are you advertising for Ken Livingstone's London Mayor campaign?

I find it offensive.

I completely agree, what on earth is going on MN please? I know I won't be missed, and perhaps you don't give a stuff, but I may have to go elsewhere.

And I'd react the same if you allowed similar from any other party.



<starting to pack my bag>

For me, it isn't just the fact it is a political advertisement, more that it seems libellous.

I don't really think any campaign should be run by insinuating your opposition is a pickpocket (not that that's your fault MNHQ ). I know you like to provoke discussion, but I think that advert crosses a line, and you shouldn't show it.

I mean, would you allow a Conservative advert which screams at you "Ken Livingstone's a liar"?

If you would, I suppose it's fair enough.

<slinks back off to corner>

Not that I think he is, just as an example.

Totally out of order.

Can't stand the weasly little bastard. [anger]

i think it is a personal attack.. its calling Boris a pickpocket and has an animation of what is clearly him stealing from someone.

"I think we would draw the line at a very personal attack though as it seems against the spirit of the site"

and you don't think that portraying BJ as a thieving pickpocket falls into this category?

I think the ad has a point.

Yes, I suppose that was my very long-winded and ill put point.

It's not attacking a policy, it's attacking a person. That's what I'm uncomfortable with.

It's not attacking a person - it is pointing out that he has "fleeced" commuters of money by increasing fares above the rate of inflation. It is attacking his policy. It doesn't say he is a pickpocket and leave it at that does it? It goes on to clearly explain.

It doesn't clearly explain anything. How can you 'clearly explain' any politics in a soundbite?
I'm not a Londoner, I don't know the details of the argument - before or after the advert.
All I can see is simplistic yah-boo politics which are not very edifying and backfire on the person doing it.

It cleary said that BoJo had taken money out of commuters' pockets by increasing the cost of fares in London above the rate of inflation and that under Ken they would save £1000.

Sorry, they would save £1000 over 4 years. I've just watched it again.

I think it is tedious and not what I come on MN to see, even if they are all given equal "dibs" so what, it's crass and I do think it is personal. I am not being "politicial" BTW in saying that, ie. I am not a Boris supporter and going oh poor Boris, he's been hard done by or whatever.

I don't live in London, and I suspect the majority of MNers and I could not give a toss. Why do we have to see these banal and inappropriate adverts when they are completely irrelevant to most of us?

Get a grip MN. Pretty please.

And coming from dear Ken who made it £4 to go two stops on the tube, it's a bit rich frankly.

(ok, now I'm being political, but that's an aside and is not my main, in principle, objection to these pathetic ads!)

"It cleary said that BoJo had taken money out of commuters' pockets by increasing the cost of fares in London above the rate of inflation and that under Ken they would save £1000 over four years."

I know what it says soupdragon but that is not explaining anything. It is a politician using some random made up figure to make a point. BJ can equally come up with some other random number - see anonbird's post - and we are no further forward. It is classic punch & judy stuff.

Please tell me that you don't believe everything politicians tell you.

I've emailed, but I agree with PocPoc and purits.

I find it offensive to find a democratically elected leader portrayed as a pickpocket. It clearly says 'pickpocket' - no s, and the picture looks extremely similar to Boris.

It's also very London-centred. There are plenty of Mumsnetters who don't live in London.

And if we going to be subjected to a series of adverts making unprovable, oversimplified claims about the other parties in the run up to the General Election it is going to be very tedious.

Over to you MNHQ...

"Please tell me that you don't believe everything politicians tell you"

Of course I don't. I'm not stupid - are you? The point I was making is that it the meaning behind the "pickpocket" thing was clearly explained.

Political adverts are one thing. Moving, eye-catching yellow-on-black with a bit of red is another. And it's bollocks. Could you move it to the bottom of the page in the buying and selling board, or whatever hunville is called?

Has it gone? Not seen it the past couple of days I don't think....

It'll probably pop up again now I've said that!