Do you get involved with politics?

[KnittedBreast]

I have seen so many women on here speaking passionatly about what they believe in, how many of you are actually involved in local or central politics? taking an active role etc...

I did a few little things while at uni and now im running as a paper candidate for one party.

If you dont get involved why not? is it because you think its a lost cause or are you just too busy?

Interesting question. I would love to be involved in politics as there are things I believe in, plus I believe in engaging oneself and making a contribution to the community (I do volunteer in the community outside of politics).

The reasons I'm not are probably a combination of:

• Local politics being a bit 'small' and frustrating local council meetings that go on for hours discussing the colour of the paper that reports should be printed on etc.

• 'Bigger' politics being a bit intimidating - not believing I would be hard-nosed enough to make a difference and not necessarily believing that I would be able to engage other people to support what I believed in.

• Not really knowing how to get more involved. I mean I supposed I could volunteer to give out leaflets prior to elections etc. but that's not really the way to have ideas and have them heard. Not that I mind having to do the legwork as well, but not sure how/when the two come together.

• Assuming you would need some kind of political background to be really valued.

D

I joined a political party after the last election, I'm too knackered busy to be active though. I did go to a feminism conference in london as well which was good. I've never been "involved" in anything in the past, not at university or anything, so it's a new thing for me and mostly triggered by being on here.I think MN is great for raising awareness of various things, which can prompt people to act.

I also think that the demographic on MN (a lot of women with babies/youngish children) means that many women have the time to rant be passionate on MN but not much real life time to commit IYSWIM. Obviously there are loads of other type of people on here but I think the young children crew make up a reasonable chunk.

I'm on first name terms with my MP. I suspect she rather dreads my emails about the latest government outrage.

Other than that, I'm involved in various campaign organisations (Fawcett Society, Abortion Rights etc) though I haven't the time do do much more than write and contribute financially. I protest where I have the time/energy and fury. I also know my local councillers, though I suspect this has as much to do with BF being a raving Communist who drags me off the public meetings with his "comrades".

Political parties are all rather Lib Dem - do whatever it takes to get some power then forsake all promises.

I'm not involved with any parties. I will involve myself with particular issues.

political parties are all rather lib dem? except those who are labour, tory etc...

I should have put 'Lib Dem'. As in promise anything to get in then renege on it once they have. Not that the others are any better but they're the current paradigm.

I'm on first name terms with my MP. I suspect she rather dreads my emails about the latest government outrage.

ditto lol, although not so much now she got kicked out and I am giving the replacement a chance to show her mettle.

I realised in the past few years that I am extremely Conservative, cant be doing with lilly livered liberals who dont have a clue and think even the Tories are way too soft lol

so you agree with the all for himself tory ideology?

Knitted,etc.

I take a serious interest in politics. Have not joined a party; but do write a lot on the subject. I do get to know Mps and a few local media types.

It is said that Middle Class people call the shots in our main parties.

Politics is a funny old game; especially at the top. cheers "Gabby"

where do you write gabbylogan

I personally feel that the desire to become a politician should preclude on from actually becoming one.

haha point there shirley

Knitted...I am "GabbyLoggon" I write all over the place but not under this nickname.

Do you read your local evening paper? Well, I will have been in it at one time or another. But none of us seem to use our proper names here on Mumsnet, so I follow that rule. cheers "Gabby"

I used to be involved a bit at University but TBH even back then it was clear that certain people were already well connected in the upper echelons of the main parties by virtue of their parents, which school they went to, etc.

Some (including current cabinet and shadow cabinet Ministers) were there at the same time as me and it was the very beginning of the phenomenon of career politician. There was a certain group of politically well connected students who all went on to jobs that were in Parliament or in unions or in the party hieracy. By virtue of that they went on to get safe seats and within a few years ministerial posts.

The Andrew Neil programme about public school boys running Britian was true - but as a public school boy myself at Oxford I can tell you that there is a political aristocracy in this country which is passed down the generations and it is not just about going to public school and Oxford.

Your parents and their connections in the main political prties are the most important factor. Once I realised that I knew there was no point in carrying on being active in politics.

BeenBeta I was also put off politics at Oxford, for similar reasons. Spent too many hours of my teenage life being accosted at parties by people wanting to further their own careers, when just to wanted to relax and enjoy precious few hours away from the books...

In my present day life, my personal politics are very far opposed to those of my ILs, so I choose to have a quiet life and keep my mouth shut on the subject, or to steer conversation away from politics. When I say "politics", it's really just spouting what they've read in the DM that week