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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:
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6
SethBrogan · 30/04/2026 13:52

JLou08 · 30/04/2026 13:42

Are you a business owner? I think that is a really strange requirement. There is a lot more to government than making money.
I'd rather have a parliament made up of people with varied backgrounds. Teachers, medical professionals, social workers, lawyers, working class people who understand the struggles those living in poverty face, disabled people who understand oppression and the importance of equality.

I mean Elon Musk is a very successful businessman-shall we have people like that leading the country?

Lampzade · 30/04/2026 13:51

Op named three politicians who are actually renowned in their respective fields
Two lawyers and an economist
Is this a reverse or something ?

SethBrogan · 30/04/2026 13:50

You don’t think Starmer is highly academically successful? Give over. And I love that you’ve only focused on Labour politicians here - what were your thoughts on Johnson being PM?

Whoooville · 30/04/2026 13:50

Arlanymor · 30/04/2026 12:45

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

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Clearly not.

ilovesooty · 30/04/2026 13:49

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:24

That happens often doesn't it when one disagrees with a poster.

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If you think it's simply about disagreement I'll leave you to your overly simplistic interpretation. I certainly can't be bothered to waste my time explaining to you.

Purplewarrior · 30/04/2026 13:48

I disagree with them having had to run their own business. That’s far too narrow.

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:45

EdgeofaRevolution · 30/04/2026 13:43

I think their morals, principles, conduct and ‘bedside manner’ (or lack thereof) are equally as important as how highly educated they are.

Starmer being a great example here. He’s clearly highly educated and was professionally successful as a barrister. But I cannot stand the man and whilst he might look good on paper, he’s intolerable as a politician.

I really don’t know what the answer is as they all seem to be selfish, self serving imbeciles. I think as a country we desperately need a PM that the British people can collectively look up to and respect but there’s far too much division in the UK for that to happen now.

Also, agreed.

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Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:44

MNLurker1345 · 30/04/2026 13:42

Thanks for this thread @Catsandjkr, this is a valid question.

I read an article in City AM yesterday, about the Centre for Government Reform.

“The Centre for Government Reform is new, co-chaired by Lord Agnew and Lord Nash — both businessmen and former ministers/non-executive government figures. Its stated aim is to train several hundred senior outsiders over three years for roles such as ministers, permanent secretaries, quango heads and senior advisers.”

Chat GPT

It sounds exciting. Do go onto the website. I will be following their progress and live in hope that a more able community of government representatives and leaders is in the pipeline.

Whatever one’s politics, this government has shown itself to be no different from past governments, just another day a different scandal.

It comes across as a government training on the job, an intern government.

And no accountability, just blame it on the last lot. That’s not grown up politics.

As for the infamous PPE degree, it can result in career politicians who have not worked in any area other than politics. A career path could be - university, activist, think tank, SPAD, safe seat MP, government.

That does sounds promising! I shall have a look. Thanks :)

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EdgeofaRevolution · 30/04/2026 13:43

I think their morals, principles, conduct and ‘bedside manner’ (or lack thereof) are equally as important as how highly educated they are.

Starmer being a great example here. He’s clearly highly educated and was professionally successful as a barrister. But I cannot stand the man and whilst he might look good on paper, he’s intolerable as a politician.

I really don’t know what the answer is as they all seem to be selfish, self serving imbeciles. I think as a country we desperately need a PM that the British people can collectively look up to and respect but there’s far too much division in the UK for that to happen now.

JLou08 · 30/04/2026 13:42

Are you a business owner? I think that is a really strange requirement. There is a lot more to government than making money.
I'd rather have a parliament made up of people with varied backgrounds. Teachers, medical professionals, social workers, lawyers, working class people who understand the struggles those living in poverty face, disabled people who understand oppression and the importance of equality.

MNLurker1345 · 30/04/2026 13:42

Thanks for this thread @Catsandjkr, this is a valid question.

I read an article in City AM yesterday, about the Centre for Government Reform.

“The Centre for Government Reform is new, co-chaired by Lord Agnew and Lord Nash — both businessmen and former ministers/non-executive government figures. Its stated aim is to train several hundred senior outsiders over three years for roles such as ministers, permanent secretaries, quango heads and senior advisers.”

Chat GPT

It sounds exciting. Do go onto the website. I will be following their progress and live in hope that a more able community of government representatives and leaders is in the pipeline.

Whatever one’s politics, this government has shown itself to be no different from past governments, just another day a different scandal.

It comes across as a government training on the job, an intern government.

And no accountability, just blame it on the last lot. That’s not grown up politics.

As for the infamous PPE degree, it can result in career politicians who have not worked in any area other than politics. A career path could be - university, activist, think tank, SPAD, safe seat MP, government.

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:42

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 13:36

Indeed. The OP seems to be under the impression that there was formerly a time when governments comprised the combination of academic high achievers who ran very successful businesses, rather than the largely privileged male, public school and Oxbridge educated elite.

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Your logic is non existent. I've not made any comment on previous governments. I'm not a fan of Eton chums either.

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BIossomtoes · 30/04/2026 13:41

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:38

I didn't say that but you can continue as if I did

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You said

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 just copied and pasted it.

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:39

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 13:36

Incorrect use of a capital in the middle of a sentence.

Just so that we're clear, however - are you serously suggesting that all politicians should be academically elite and have run successful businesses?

Or that it should be a criterion for being in the a cabinet post and those politicians not meeting this criterion shoulbe banned from such cabinet posts?

Edited
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😂Thanks, that made me laugh.

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Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:38

BIossomtoes · 30/04/2026 13:37

They’re not. What’s unbelievable is your ridiculous assertion that current politicians are uneducated. You should have seen the most transformative cabinet of recent history - Attlee’s.

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I didn't say that but you can continue as if I did

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Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:37

toomuchfaff · 30/04/2026 13:35

Trump is academically qualified as pointed out in other comments, and he is a "businessman " as in he has had multiple businesses. So he fits your perfect persona for what a politician should be.

But you're chaging your story because the original is flawed.

Alas, I must be a lefty... a rude one at that.

I'm done. I have lefty things to be getting on with... Ill leave you misguided and ill informed.

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He's not really academically qualified and he's not really a successful business man- He's just a guy who inherited a business form his dad. I'm surprised you think he meets the criteria.

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BIossomtoes · 30/04/2026 13:37

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:33

Not really - but they Are succeeding in making a lot of it much much much worse. That is pretty unbelievable.

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They’re not. What’s unbelievable is your ridiculous assertion that current politicians are uneducated. You should have seen the most transformative cabinet of recent history - Attlee’s.

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 13:36

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:35

Actually I was very clear. I even used a capital A at the beginning of And. Sigh..

Show quote history

Incorrect use of a capital in the middle of a sentence.

Just so that we're clear, however - are you serously suggesting that all politicians should be academically elite and have run successful businesses?

Or that it should be a criterion for being in the a cabinet post and those politicians not meeting this criterion shoulbe banned from such cabinet posts?

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 13:36

Screamingabdabz · 30/04/2026 13:33

The only qualifier for politicians imo is integrity and vision for the greater good.

Snob class values should have no place in politics. You’re as bad as them op for thinking that privilege makes you a better person.

Indeed. The OP seems to be under the impression that there was formerly a time when governments comprised the combination of academic high achievers who ran very successful businesses, rather than the largely privileged male, public school and Oxbridge educated elite.

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:35

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.

Actually I was very clear. I even used a capital A at the beginning of And. Sigh..

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 30/04/2026 13:35

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:28

Is Trump academically qualified? Is he really a business person, or did he just hang on the coat tails of the money his allegedly corrupt dad made? These things I guess don't matter to you, don't fit your mental model. That is ok. I won't call you ridiculous, that's rude and a nasty - I'm used to it from the left tbh. Just misguided, slightly ill informed, but that's ok too. Fret not. I'm not judging. Well, not much.

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Trump is academically qualified as pointed out in other comments, and he is a "businessman " as in he has had multiple businesses. So he fits your perfect persona for what a politician should be.

But you're chaging your story because the original is flawed.

Alas, I must be a lefty... a rude one at that.

I'm done. I have lefty things to be getting on with... Ill leave you misguided and ill informed.

jumpingjohnny · 30/04/2026 13:34

Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:33

Not really - but they Are succeeding in making a lot of it much much much worse. That is pretty unbelievable.

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What have they made worse?

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:34

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/04/2026 13:32

It was badly expressed. And once again, your aggressive, combative, and insulting tone towards those disagreeing with you doesn't make your arguments any better.

Edited
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True. Gets tiresome.

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Screamingabdabz · 30/04/2026 13:33

The only qualifier for politicians imo is integrity and vision for the greater good.

Snob class values should have no place in politics. You’re as bad as them op for thinking that privilege makes you a better person.

Original poster
Catsandjkr · 30/04/2026 13:33

jumpingjohnny · 30/04/2026 13:32

Better than 14 years of corrupt Tories, yes. But it's going to take time to undo the damage the conservatives did. You can't seriously expect anyone to undo 14 years of damage in only 2 years, can you!

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Not really - but they Are succeeding in making a lot of it much much much worse. That is pretty unbelievable.

OP posts: