To all of you toryphobic but lovely mumsnetters...

[catus]

I found the tory-dating thread quite interesting. Clearly some people have very strong and deep-seated political views. I couldn't help but wonder: what would you do if your offsprings became conservatives? Would you be disappointed? Would you try to change their opinions at every opportunity? Would you buy them the complete Ken Loach collection? Would you dare admit it to your friends?
And what about their future partners, wouldn't you at least try to love them a little even if they were tories?
For me, I have right wing tendencies but it would probably be fun if DS ended up politically minded and on the left. At least it wouldn't be dull!

Me too, Franca.
I do think it's very unnatural for young people to be Tories. And by the time people reach the age of reason (40?) they should know that Toryism is wrong.

As is very common right-wing people here seem to think that political views are some form of lifestyle choice whereas left-wing people understand that they are a matter of morality and human decency.

Dad and mum were both interested in politics and would discuss it pretty much every day. Dad was a Tory, mum was left-wing (flitted between Labour and Lib Dem, but is now staunchly Labour).

They would debate everything and would fall out with each other pretty much every week on some bill or law or other. Never effected their relationship.

It was fascinating listening to their arguments. Neither tried to influence my brother or me; we just listened and developed our own opinions.

We are both card-carrying Labour members now, if anyone is interested. Mum obviously made more sense to us than Dad's Tory views

MeKathryn: I must stress I am not british (french), so I had no hand in bringing your current government in power! Assuming you are british, of course...

Also nice to see a Tory who only gives 12% (calculated very precisely to within 1 percentage point!) of her income to charity so that she can boast about it and lord it over the less generous!

Arf at Weetabix

As is very common right-wing people here seem to think that political views are some form of lifestyle choice whereas left-wing people understand that they are a matter of morality and human decency.

And yet we are now all living the lifestyle of left wing politics.

Over spending and ruin. Oh the irony.

If my kids became Tories they'd be masochists. They'd be supporting the very party that is hellbent on withdrawing financial and medical support for them and hurting their future life chances.

I have to say Sparks1, I fail to detect the irony.

I would be very disappointed and wonder where I'd gone wrong, but of course I'd still love her all the same; and I'd hope it wouldn't affect our relationship.

what would you do if your offsprings became conservatives?

Have them sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

"Actually, you've reminded me that my younger brother votes tory. But, though sentimental, he lacks genuine compassion/empathy for those less fortunate them himself. My mum was certainly disappointed at the way he's turned out."

i sincerely hope she conceals that from him. it seems to me that to burden your child with that sort of judgement purely on the basis of how he votes would be a genuinely terrible thing to do.

I'd be horrified if DD went Tory.

Why is this site so left-wing? Even more so than the Guardians?

Oh, and I don't think "phobic" quite defines it. A phobia is an irrational fear. I loathe the Tories for very rational reasons.

I am from a long line of lefties and would have to kill the DC's if they were RW. It shows a lack of moral fibre IMO. Ditto any GF they had.

reactionary I don't read this as being judgemental on the basis of how someone votes - but disappointed that she has raised a child lacking in feelings for someone less well off, which as it happens seems to be a pre-requisite of being a Tory.

I read somewhere about right wingers being less intelligent than left wingers do bears shit in the woods emoticon

I'm always baffled at the lack of empathy for individuals displayed by many a Tory voter, who seem to think that most of those who aren't well off are somehow spongers or deserve their fate.

So if my children turn out like that, I'd be disappointed to say the least.

Josephine because LW is the only way to be. It shows a degree of intelligence, compassion and empathy IMO

iggly I really think empathy is the key. Mebeez most RW votes are on the AS?

So you think it's Ok to tell your child you're disappointed in them - make them carry that burden through life - because of how they vote, and what you think it tells you about their character?
That's sick. i'm sorry but it's sick. If you think that's an appropriate way to parent a child of any age, you need help.

My offspring would not become conservatives.

But if they did I would be bemused.

I'd assume it was a phase that he'd grow out of, like biting and hitting, only much more odious, obviously.

I hate to upset a lot on this thread but the way that modern trends in voting behaviour suggest that at some point in their lives then your children will almost certainly vote Conservative.

RF of course you would never say anything, you would just try to dissuade. Posting the Morning Star to them and such like