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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be upset that "we are not all in this together" i.e Skiing in Switzerland with George Osbourne

152 replies

FishKebabs · 02/01/2011 10:32

It makes me upset to read that the likes of George Osbourne & Zac Goldsmith are currently enjoying lavish holidays in the Caribbean (8k a week villa) & Klosters, Switzerland with their families when these very people are telling us that we are all in this together. Clearly they are not in this together, they are enjoying privileged lifestyles whilst we are seeing increases in our fuel,vat, cutbacks just about everywhere, increased railfares, this is highly insensitive conduct my our MP's but not surprising as most are out of touch with reality.

OP posts:
montysorry · 02/01/2011 11:03

don't need to make cuts

trice · 02/01/2011 11:46

I don't think it would be too much to expect a politician to behave ethically. I would be impressed by someone who chose to spend their cash and pay their taxes in the country they are pretending to serve. And I do expect more from a politician than I would for an ordinary wealthy person. It would also seem to me that as we are all sitting here looking at our gas bills and massive VAT rise he should not be rubbing our noses in it.

I don't expect any sort of ethical behaviour from George Osbourne though. I am not a complete fool.

Bonsoir · 02/01/2011 11:48

There is nothing unethical about rich people being rich, providing they came about their riches in accordance with the law. And they are free to spend their money as they wish.

reikizen · 02/01/2011 11:50

I don't think anyone is disputing their entitlement to spend their own money, just the patronising attempt to make us believe that these millionares have been in any way adversely affected by the 'credit crunch'. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, that is really what the Tories are about.

tethersend · 02/01/2011 11:51

As long as it's in Butlin's.

Bonsoir · 02/01/2011 11:53

No, that is not what the Tories are about. The Tories are about encouraging wealth and value creation across the board so that there are more real jobs (not working for the state) available for all.

Right now, however, they have to deal with the legacy of the Labour government.

TheSecondComing · 02/01/2011 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Prinnie · 02/01/2011 11:54

Yes it would have been so much better for all of us if he'd just stayed at home Hmm.

Seriously, I don't begrudge someone who probably works a 80+ hour a week a holiday. I'm sure George's family will have spent lots of money in the UK before they went, on equipement etc, drinks in the airport blah blah blah.

You're all just acting with the most pathetic, immature jealousy. If one of you can convince me that it would have been better for George to stay at home and not go away at all then I may retract my words.

Prinnie · 02/01/2011 11:56

Also - remember it is the MEDIA (who are the true evil in this country) rubbing your noses in George Osbournes holiday arrangements, not him - I doubt he's press released it!

montysorry · 02/01/2011 11:57

Well...lots of people say it was ethically the right decision for David Cameron to send his DD to the state primary, which he has done. But this would clearly not be his natural choice so to me it just makes him a bit fake.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with his state primary and I'm sure it will give him an insight into the state sector that he wouldn't have gained otherwise. However, it will be naive to think he'll follow suit with the other two if he's out of office by then. Nor can I see him sending her to comprehensive.

I'd rather a politician who was honest than one who felt he had to please 'Mondeo Man' as New Labour coined them all those years ago.

LIZS · 02/01/2011 11:57

All animals are equal. Some are more equal than others.

Chil1234 · 02/01/2011 11:58

YABU.... plenty of ordinary people are going on holiday this time of year or planning them for the summer. Normal. Don't see how a government minister taking some time out makes him a hypocrite.

edam · 02/01/2011 11:58

oh bonsoir, you are so sweet. The Tories don't give a crap about creating jobs for ordinary people 'I'm allright, Jack' just about sums it up. They know full well what the impact of their policies will be - more unemployment, not less.

Rich people who are in government and are making everyone else suffer while enjoying the high life cause resentment, oddly enough. Rich people who are not screwing the rest of us are fine.

montysorry · 02/01/2011 11:59

Bonsoir, lots of 'real' jobs will always be working for the state such as our teachers and NHS staff.

Unless you advocate outsourcing both education and the NHS, that is a fact of life.

Prinnie · 02/01/2011 12:01

Montysorry - how do you know that DC sending his children to state primary 'would clearly not be his natural choice'? Has he told you? have you got it in writing? Have you considered that maybe, even if it wasn't his natural choice, that Samantha Cameron might have a say about his children's education? Seriously, if you are going to debate, don't resort to tabloidish statements.

tethersend · 02/01/2011 12:01

"You're all just acting with the most pathetic, immature jealousy. If one of you can convince me that it would have been better for George to stay at home and not go away at all then I may retract my words."

We're not trying to convince you he shouldn't have gone on holiday. We're trying to convince you that he shouldn't have said "We're all in this together".

Or that, because he did say it, he should have gone to Butlin's.

hairyfairylights · 02/01/2011 12:05

We all know we have never all been in this together. Yanbu.

What they mean by "all in this together" is "we think most of you are thick as shit and were going to patronise you and make ourselves feel good"

TheSecondComing · 02/01/2011 12:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twirlymum · 02/01/2011 12:09

tethersend do you work for Butlins? Wink

montysorry · 02/01/2011 12:10

Ok, Prinnie, no he has no told me. And yes, I am making the assuption based on the fact that both he and Samantha didn't just go to private schools but went to two of the most prestigious schools in the country.

Neither are first or second generation monied. In fact, she is the daughter of a Baronet and her step-father is V Astor. These are facts, not gained from the tabloids.

But of course, one shouldn't presume..

tethersend · 02/01/2011 12:12

I should, twirly.

Are you listening, Butlin's?

sarah293 · 02/01/2011 12:16

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Message withdrawn

BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree · 02/01/2011 12:20

tis ok - once he gets back from his holiday he'll be hit by the VAT increases - as well.4

panettoinydog · 02/01/2011 12:24

Of course we are not all in this together.

Pah! Why would anyone ever believe such a trite soundbite.

BootyMum · 02/01/2011 12:25

Agree with Trice.

It is about the ethics of the situation. don't resent these politicians for being rich and spending their money but they could put their money where their mouth is, ie spend said money in the British economy thus supporting British private enterprise, job creation, etc.

Unfortunately it just seems that politicians generally want all the benefits, power and privilege that go with being our ruling class but take little responsibility for their actions. Yes, they are judged more on their actions than the average low-profile rich person and so they should be.
"We're all in this together" - how ridiculous! A bit like that old Tory codger who was outraged that anyone would think that politicians shouldn't be entitled to first class train travel at the public's expense. He is a public servant for God's sake, no more, no less than a nurse or a police officer in my opinion. When the Tories tell these vital professions to suck up austerity measures [ie those nurses in I think it was Scotland who were told their contract was being renegotiated to them working an extra day a month for no extra pay and that they had to agree or resign] it is imo important that they are able to apply the same restraint and community "big society" spirit to themselves.
And be seen to be doing this. So Osborne and Goldsmith living the high life does not look great - a bit Marie Antoinette imo...