Gordon Brown and AMW

[Shadeflower]

Presumably the information GB is now presenting on AMW is stuff he had access to while he was in Governement? If so, why is he only speaking out now? Or did he try earlier and the establishment was such that even the PM couldn't be heard?

I like GB, always did, I'm curious about what it was that means he's only speaking out now.

OK.

Emojis won’t help you there. I didn’t bother reading your post.

OK.

Are you ok though? You seem to be a bit stuck on emojis.

Not at all stuck. But since you're not reading my posts, emojis seem as good a way of expressing my response as any.

Agreed. Badenoch shouldn’t get a free pass just because she’s a woman. Katie Amess is absolutely right.

I wouldn't be able to take any politician seriously who used the term ‘paedo’ as a childish insult, especially in the House of Commons. No matter the sex of that politician.

This is what's so jarring about Badenoch's delivery. I know many people who would use the word paedo in general conversation, and whilst I wouldn't, I recognise it simply as a colloquialism in general use. Badenoch isn't one of them, so why does she do it?

I wonder if it was her idea or the idea of one of her aides? Either way, it was horribly misjudged.

I think it's actually deeply offensive to the survivors of actual paedophiles to make light of their suffering by using "paedo" as a cheap jibe to score political points.

To me, it just comes across as a very immature, flippant approach to a very serious issue. More like student politics than the words of someone who has given deep thought to the actual issues.

Yes, it made her look more like a playground bully than a serious politician.

It may well have been dreamt up by one of her aides, but I think politicians have to be accountable themselves for the words that they choose to speak - I haven't forgiven Starmer yet for claiming that he hadn't read the awful Island of Strangers speech before he delivered it.

If the words are coming out of their mouths, they are responsible for them. And I think Kemi has scored a bit of an own goal here.

I follow politics & part of that is watching PMQ's live each week.
I dislike Tory policies but recognise that KB is a good / pugnacious speaker.
(I find KS fairly frustrating but think he is the best of the bunch we have atm)

As a CSA survivor (& I am merely one of hundreds of thousands UK alone)
I personally found listening to KB smirkingly throwing her 'insult' of 'Peado' at KS really upsetting. This is a very serious issue & I thought it was belittled by this.

It’s amazing people don’t see Starmer’s rhetoric as playground bully. Men involved in all this really do get an easy ride. No wonder we have Epstein and co at all.

I very much agree, as a CSA survivor. I find it very insulting when the word ‘paedo’ is used in this way. I feel that it really trivialises what happened to me and to countless others.

@EasternStandard we know you don't like Starmer, you have made that very clear.

But instead of constantly trying to deflect away from the debate about what Kemi Badenoch said by complaining about Starmer instead, could you please tell us what you think about her using the "paedo defenders" insult in the way that she did?

I am really interested in knowing whether you think this was appropriate and if this is how you want to see politicians behaving.

And just this once, could you actually answer the question and not try to change the subject to make it about Starmer instead?

I'm so sorry.

Fgs Easternstandard. You are apportioning blame for Epstein on to women who don't agree with you? Read the bloody room.

To be clear: I don't like the bullying that goes on during PMQs. But it twas ever thus and Starmer is no worse than anyone else.

@52andblue @LizzieW1969 I am really sorry that it was upsetting for you. It must be a hard time for you both generally right now. I hope you have support.

Was he not there @MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack? Instead of deflecting onto Kemi perhaps you can address his language? I know you don’t like her but it was two way interaction.

In this instance I’m going with holding the men to account not a female politician who had no input on Mandelson, or Epstein. Easy, easy a female politician who uses a word but who has no input in appointing people connected with Epstein. No mention of Kemi in any files I’m sure. No abuse of power since she is facing her own barriers and denigrators daily.

Easy choice, give me a PMQs with women facing each other for a welcome change.

I’m sorry too.

I use the word paedo colloquially but I won’t any more. The comments on here have made me think.

Did you read the posts by @52andblue and @LizzieW1969 ? Do their words mean nothing to you?

Perhaps one thing we can all do going forward is challenge the use of the colloquialism, both online and in real life?

In case you missed it, I have already addressed Keir Starmer's language in response to one of your earlier posts. So I'm not trying to deflect, I am simply asking you a question

But it's ok, I get it. You don't want to answer. And that speaks volumes in and of itself.

I have answered already. I think you are focussing on her wording over the actions of male politicians and Epstein. That’s an easy answer.

It’s amazing that posters would focus on women over men in this Epstein era. She is not anywhere near this, it’s off that she becomes the focus. Politics I assume because it’s Labour involved.

If you read the Epstein files, you can see the extent of Tony Blair's involvement, as well as other British politicians. GB probably sick to the stomach at knowing some of this for years and finally having some written documents that tallies with what he knows.

No, it isn't an answer. It's a dodge.

And I get why you're dodging. It must be very uncomfortable for you.

There is something quite ironic though about you banging on about prioritising women while completely ignoring the comments from two CSA survivors on this thread.

We see where your priorities lie.