Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want politicians with strong academic and business backgrounds?

312 replies

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:33

AIBU to want politicans to be highly academically successful And have experience in running a business?

I'm so tired of these low grade politicians ruining our lives. They can lie (as Starmer exempifies), they don't need qualifications or experience to get the job. In inexplicable in other areas of life.

What a joke. But I suppose when its politicans like Lammy, Starmer, Reeves in charge, it won't ever change.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:59

PlumPuddingandGravy · 30/04/2026 12:51

We need high calibre people from all walks of life to be politicians.

However, the “run a business” line gets trotted out all the time, like starting and running a business confers some sort of mystical wisdom.

Some people who run businesses are fantastic. Some people who run businesses are truly dreadful at it.

If a person runs a successful business - they are capable. Business build jobs, opportunities, help build the economy. Without them we have no money. Lots of people just cannot understand this. They don't care where the money comes from, as long as they get it. Hence we're in this current mess - Labour seem to have zero undertstanding of economics.

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 30/04/2026 12:59

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:50

Comprehension issue for you. He was my example of a liar.

Edited
Show quote history

My comprehension isnt in question.

You're the one who wrote the OP, saying you wanted highly educated people as politicians; then derided multiple politicians who are all highly educated.

Kinda throws your whole argument in the fire that the ones youre moaning about are the type youre advocating.

Lomonald · 30/04/2026 12:57

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 12:55

Indeed. It's almost as if 14 years of entirely inept Tory government never happened...

Show quote history

Was all a dream we saw nothing!

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 12:55

ilovesooty · 30/04/2026 12:53

It's just another thread to bang on about Starmer and the current government. I'm sure people will be along to support the OP before too long. 🙄

Indeed. It's almost as if 14 years of entirely inept Tory government never happened...

Thundertoast · 30/04/2026 12:55

So what 'low grade politicians' were you referring to that are not educated how you see fit? Can you name some for us.

Lomonald · 30/04/2026 12:55

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:33

AIBU to want politicans to be highly academically successful And have experience in running a business?

I'm so tired of these low grade politicians ruining our lives. They can lie (as Starmer exempifies), they don't need qualifications or experience to get the job. In inexplicable in other areas of life.

What a joke. But I suppose when its politicans like Lammy, Starmer, Reeves in charge, it won't ever change.

I mean Keir Starmer was a barrister and QC and head of some "department" or something not educated at all ! the great Boris Johnston lied through his teeth repeatedly and we won't mention Nigel farages whoppers and dodgy dealings.

ChocHotolate · 30/04/2026 12:54

The caliber of people you describe can attract a very large salary in the private sector. Public sector is relatively low paid compared to what these top people can be used to.
If we want the best we have to be prepared to pay for it, but the press kick up a stink at MP salary increases.
Until we pay more we will attract either older / retired individuals who want to give back and do good, or Will will attract substandards who can’t make it elsewhere

ilovesooty · 30/04/2026 12:54

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:53

😂Of course you can't.

Show quote history

Would you care to expand on that?

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:54

toooldforbrat · 30/04/2026 12:49

Lammy - master degree in law from Harvard and a Barrister - hardly uneducated.

Farage didn't go to University can we rule him out ?

Why do you refer to Farage? I do hope he is never PM, though the way Labour are going, they are certainly driving certain people to think voting Reform will help them.

Lammy was a barrister for about 3 minutes, totally useless. Not a suprise.

OP posts:
VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 12:53

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:50

Comprehension issue for you. He was my example of a liar.

Edited
Show quote history

No, it's a clarity issue for YOU if all you were saying was you believe him to be a liar - presumably you'll agree he should NOT be included in your 'not academically able' criterion?

You'll agree, similarly, that Reeves and Lammy shouldn't, either...? So your point in using them as examples was incorrect.

Arlanymor · 30/04/2026 12:53

Thechaseison71 · 30/04/2026 12:47

Nope

But they need more people in parliament than just those prom privileged backgrounds which would not have anything in common with constituents

Edited
Show quote history

So SAHMs should be precluded from standing for election? Despite the fact that they have lived experience of millions of other people in the country, despite the fact that they might be incredibly bright and politically astute? But if they've never received a pay slip in their lives then they just written off? What a way not to value the contribution of mothers in society. I'm honestly appalled. I made that point about privilege myself further back in the thread and even made a book recommendation!

Someone needs to tell Nancy Pelosi that she never should have become Speaker of the House, given that she was a housewife for 20 years before she ran for congress at the age of 47...

ilovesooty · 30/04/2026 12:53

It's just another thread to bang on about Starmer and the current government. I'm sure people will be along to support the OP before too long. 🙄

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:53

ilovesooty · 30/04/2026 12:45

Exactly. I can't believe what I'm reading from the OP.

Show quote history

😂Of course you can't.

OP posts:
Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:52

notthedogsfault · 30/04/2026 12:40

I don’t understand why you’ve used Starmer as an example here - he has a strong academic background and successful career in law. Isn’t that exactly the kind of profile you’re advocating for?

I used him as an example of a liar.

OP posts:
PlumPuddingandGravy · 30/04/2026 12:51

We need high calibre people from all walks of life to be politicians.

However, the “run a business” line gets trotted out all the time, like starting and running a business confers some sort of mystical wisdom.

Some people who run businesses are fantastic. Some people who run businesses are truly dreadful at it.

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 12:51

Here's what AI told me about David Lammy (of whom I'm not a fan, but I'm responding to the OP's suggestion that he's not academically able:

Academic Qualifications

Legal Experience
  • Barrister: Called to the Bar of England and Wales at Lincoln’s Inn in 1994.
  • Private Practice: Worked as an attorney at the US firm Howard Rice in California (1997–1998) and at the British firm D.J. Freeman (1998–2000).
  • The Lammy Review: In 2017, he authored a landmark independent review into the treatment of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) individuals within the UK criminal justice system.
  • Academic Roles: He is a Professor of Practice at both the London School of Economics (LSE) and SOAS.
  • GOV.UK +2
Political & Ministerial Experience
  • Member of Parliament: Has represented Tottenham since 2000.
  • Government Minister (2002–2010): Held several roles under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including Minister for Culture and Minister for Higher Education.
-

Justice - David Lammy MP

David’s experience in the Justice sector goes back 30 years. After studying Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), David was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1995, practised as a barrister in England and the United States an...

https://www.davidlammy.co.uk/justice/

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:50

toomuchfaff · 30/04/2026 12:38

Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister (as of July 2024), is a highly qualified former human rights barrister, Director of Public Prosecutions (2008–2013), and KC (King's Counsel). Educated at the University of Leeds (LLB) and Oxford University (BCL),

Id definitely say that KS can be stated as highly academically successful

So youre sick of low grade politicians ruining your life, but you quote a highly qualified Human rights barrister as your example

Comprehension issue for you. He was my example of a liar.

OP posts:
Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 12:49

MabelRoyds · 30/04/2026 12:35

You are being reasonable. Obviously. I’m sorry this is even a question.. what on earth has happened that this is even a question. Blimey.,

Bit like where we apparently have a Supreme Court case to decide what a woman is. Crazy times.

OP posts:
HoskinsChoice · 30/04/2026 12:49

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 12:36

I disagree that people who've run businesses = good government. What makes good government in my opinion is a good mix of experiences, including academic, business, 'real life', etc. Starmer is an academically able, successful lawyer - that you dislike him doesn't negate those facts.

Intelligence is needed for government and being a qualified lawyer does prove that. But, Lawyers rarely make good leaders. Academics are the same, as are Doctors. It's hard to know why and there are of course exceptions that prove the rule but if you look at the big corporations where managing scale is key (money and people) you will find there are very, very few people with that background at the head of them.

Arlanymor · 30/04/2026 12:49

Thechaseison71 · 30/04/2026 12:47

Nope

But they need more people in parliament than just those prom privileged backgrounds which would not have anything in common with constituents

Edited
Show quote history

So SAHMs shouldn't be permitted to stand for election? Right...

toooldforbrat · 30/04/2026 12:49

Lammy - master degree in law from Harvard and a Barrister - hardly uneducated.

Farage didn't go to University can we rule him out ?

Thechaseison71 · 30/04/2026 12:47

Arlanymor · 30/04/2026 12:45

What if you've been a SAHM your whole life? Does that count as 'working'?

Show quote history

Nope

But they need more people in parliament than just those prom privileged backgrounds which would not have anything in common with constituents

ilovesooty · 30/04/2026 12:45

toomuchfaff · 30/04/2026 12:38

Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister (as of July 2024), is a highly qualified former human rights barrister, Director of Public Prosecutions (2008–2013), and KC (King's Counsel). Educated at the University of Leeds (LLB) and Oxford University (BCL),

Id definitely say that KS can be stated as highly academically successful

So youre sick of low grade politicians ruining your life, but you quote a highly qualified Human rights barrister as your example

Exactly. I can't believe what I'm reading from the OP.

ManyATrueWord · 30/04/2026 12:45

Educated, yes. Could do with people who aren't just PPE graduates though.

Arlanymor · 30/04/2026 12:45

ThePeewit · 30/04/2026 12:44

They should be intelligent, and educated at the very least. Not necessarily business expertise but expertise in something! We need people from all walks of life from agricultural to economics.
I also don't think you should be able to stand for parliament if you have never worked.

What if you've been a SAHM your whole life? Does that count as 'working'?

Swipe left for the next trending thread