to think the Camerons are hypocrites?

[Pixel]

I've always had the utmost sympathy for them and what they went through in losing their eldest son, but Sam has made me very cross today. She's going on about how difficult it is caring for a disabled child and saying 'it pushes you to the limits of what you can cope with', yet the other day I saw this article. It says that the BBC has seen leaked documents showing that the Conservatives are planning to cut carer's allowance and disability benefits should they get re-elected.

If you find that thought you really need to step out of your bubble.

I personally don't believe much of what politician's wives / husbands say in an interview like this. It's all political and designed to sell an image. Just like any interview is. The pictures, background, setting - all designed to sell the politician.

It's smoke and mirrors. Thing is - Cameron has had 5 years and you can see what his Government has done. He calls himself a Christian. Well, given the rise in foodbanks and the way the poor and disposessed in this country are treated, I doubt that very much.

Actions speak louder than words. His actions speak very loudly.

Scots I disagree with your view that 'large chunks' of people are voting on 'personalities and perceptions' because everyone I know in RL who discusses politics vote on policies.

I have never experienced 'I like Ed' or I' like Dave' as the sole reason to vote for a party. Then again, just because I have never experienced it doesn't mean it never happens. If anyone who does do this could care to post, I would be interested in hearing why.

I am not in a bubble. I am pissed off with the assumption on this thread that reading an interview about someone's personal life - no matter what party - will sway votes. It is really patronising.

shakes, do you believe advertising doesn't work either?

It may well be unlikely that many people would read that article alone and immediately change their minds about their voting choice. But the drip, drip, drip of such articles that we'll be subjected to read over the next month will have an effect on many people. Those who were previously wavering might, perhaps even subconsciously, be 'softened up' by an article like that.

That's why they do it. If it made no difference they simply wouldn't bother. Get the message out, promote the appealing image, soften up the electorate, and who knows how many floating voters you might be able to sway when they're standing, pen poised, still a bit unsure, in the privacy of that polling booth on May 7th?

That's your bubble right there

because everyone I know in RL who discusses politics vote on policies

What about the ones that never get into political discussions?

We're absolutely in a time when the cult of personality is rife.

When more people vote in the x factor than some elections there are absolutely people taking in by this shite.

Why else would they do it?

I disagree - people can be torn between 2 parties - say Labour and Liberal - or not be convinced that people can be leaders.

That's why the debates are useful - you get a chance to see how people are. A sense not just of their policies but their personal beliefs and how they come across. That can swing votes or convince people that yes, they will vote.

Interviews are part of that.

Shakes, I guess you've never read a party political handbook for election campaigners. These are quite clear about the psychology of winning votes, and that includes to a large extent the personas of the candidates, from city council elections to parliamentary contests.

Well I am a floating voter and articles like these will not sway me. A party's policies will.

If I read an article about Richard Branson's wife it won't make me run out and book a Virgin flight will it?

YANBU I find it sickening and quite evil ....not hypocritical. Those two people who should understand better than others what it means to be faced with challenges through disability, are driving the appalling cuts in disabled services and benefits. I knew he was going to use that poor child's name again during the debate. He used it as a curtain to hide behind on the NHS...how low can you get. Don't believe me? Ask the disabled people themselves who are protesting the cuts. Ask about their experience of this man and his government. I really could not have less respect for either of them.

shakes you're living in a bubble. Lots of people vote on personalities, or because The Sun or Daily Fail tell them to. Lots of people vote the same way their parents did, some even vote the way their partner tells them to.
Of course magazine articles, interviews, billboards are all designed to influence voting and if it didn't work Thatcher would never have got in and nobody would have heard of the Saatchi brothers.

I worked with people (professional, educated people) who's biggest concern before voting in the referendum was whether or not they would get Eastenders in an independent Scotland!

Lots of people don't have the time, energy, desire or inclination to get involved with politics or the understanding of the whole thing.

Because you take the time, have the understanding and the inclination to research and compare policies.

You do understand that not everyone is the same as you?

Who/where are these lots of people? Can you get some of them to post on MN about that to share their views on voting solely on a leader's personality. Can you post a link to a thread or news article about it so I can understand?
Most people I know who are thinking about how to vote access websites that ask you questions and match you to a particular party based on your answers. How did you come to the conclusion that large numbers of voters vote on personalities?

Are you for real?

I thought it was sickening that he used his dead son in the leaders debate.

I disagree with his politics anyway but this makes me loathe him as a human being.

Again, you are assuming everyone puts the same effort into deciding who to vote for as you and your chums.

You don't get it do you?

I would love to see a disabled protest movement called..

."NOT IN IVAN'S NAME"

With banners and images of Ivan, used by disabled activists.

.... Sick isn't it, but it would highlight how despicable those pair are for using their dead child to create a defence for the sanctioned neglect of disabled children.

There was a thread in chat recently a woman saying her dh had told to her to vote. Go look.

Yes I am.

I think this has gone as far as it can do for me. We will have to agree to disagree. We are both equally rolly eyed with each other's attitudes and it is going nowhere.

Well I am glad people are telling each other to vote DawnD, I would encourage that too.

Try looking at Koppensteiner and Stephen 2014's paper in Journal of Resaerch in Personality if you want to see how people vote on the basis of personality, Shakes, both the politician's and their own.

Thanks LineRunner