To think the propsed leader of the Lib Dems should know who the captain of the Lionesses is?

[Fibbke]

Because i do.

And what is it with leaders??
Boris or Jeremy - awful
Jeremy Corbyn - awful
Ed Davey or Jo Swinson - awful

Nobody really gives a shit about the lionesses except 1. People who are genuinely interested in women's football and 2. people who change their interests according to what Sky News are focusing on in ant given week.

Since 2 has always been a good description of the core vote of the Lib Dems, and was the core vote of the yellowy beige party before them (SDP?) their leader should absolutely know all about this, just as they should be able to name-drop the current trendiest vegan food, the current leader of the NUS and whoever won the last Big Brother, if that shit's still going.

• And Lionesses is a shit name for a team. Far too long. It isn't their actual name; it's a nickname that I hadn't heard before this tournament.*

This is the first time that I've heard this nickname too. Does anyone know if it's a new marketing gimmick?

I couldn’t give a shit so I don’t expect anyone else to either

I know who the Lionesses are. I couldn't name their captain and it isn't one of my criteria for a party leader. I hate all those type of 'gotcha' questions.
imo I want party leaders to tell me about policies and economics; to tell me about their party's climate change proposals and their level of commitment to foreign aid; to tell me about how they'll support women in the workplace and fund and encourage women's sport. But naming an individual because some people have suddenly realised there is a woman's team and now want to pretend they've supported them all along? No thanks.

YABU. I've never even heard of the Lionesses. I don't see any connection between knowing the names of football players and being leader of the Lib Dems ??

Spare me the snobbery of 'popular culture'! I know who the Lionesses are, couldn't name one, what does that make me? I suppose you expect Boris to be glued to that Island thingy, for Jeremy to be au fait with the current Karkrash story, all to be seen as 'one of the guys'. Can we have an 'utterly ridiculous' voting button please?

Actually I found it quite refreshing - can't stand it when politicians pretend an interest in popular culture or sports, and claim to support particular teams just to impress the public.

If she'd said she couldn't give a toss about education, brexit, the economy etc but knew all the names of the England women's football team, would that have made her right on enough for you ?

Maybe she has other interesting hobbies, maybe as an MP and a mother to young children she doesn't have time for hobbies, but whatever, it isn't compulsory for people whatever their job, to be interested in football. I'm not and I'm fine thanks - I have loads of other interests.

You might just as well say Jo Swinson and Ed Davy aren't fit to lead the libdems because they can't discuss metaphysical poetry or don't know the latin names of all the plants in their gardens.

Lionesses is a really shit nickname

I think Women’s football is dull, as is the men’s game

No idea of any if the teams names

Couldn’t care less if a politician knows or not. It’s not important. It’s like insisting your surgeon knows the name of the current British darts champion.. completely unrelated to their work.

I think it shows an absolute lack of interest in anything that isnt Westminster.

YAB completely ridiculous.
I love football, so I happen to know, but I have no idea who is likely to be in the Wimbledon finals, as I don't follow tennis. I have no idea who has won or even taken part in X factor / Love island / Strictly / Bake off / Get Me Out of Here or any other "reality" or "celebrity" show, as it is of no interest to me. I don't know who is No1 in the charts. I don't know who wore what at Ascot or the Oscars. I have no idea about any of the Marvel films. I could go on for ever.
I don't read a paper (haven't in donkeys years) but do try to either watch the news or catch up on line every couple of days, but it is about world events, not 'celeb news'. I guess people are just as entitled to not be interested in a particular sport, or even all sports.

YABVU

It's really depressing how many posters have used this as a chance to have a pop at women's football and sneer at the nickname. Fair enough, you arent interested and don't care about politicians not knowing. But the general sneeriness on this thread is depressing. I'm glad i dont feel that vicious about womens sport. I really hope none of the naysayers are on the 'no trans women in women's sport' threads!

Oh,.and a lot of you should try reading a paper once or twice a.week, even the things you aren't particularly interested in. It might help.

It's just one sport and there are many others

Indeed. And Brexit is just one political issue but ..... we've done that to death

It might help what?

Why should I read about stuff I have no interest in? Especially something as inconsequential as a sport tournament?

I’d rather they knew about the things that really matter.

And who decides? You know .... what really matters?

I enjoy lots of women’s sports, just not football. Can’t see what’s wrong with that.

Especially something as inconsequential as a sport tournament?

Inconsequential to you, maybe. But, at the risk of repeating myself, it's the World Cup Finals, it's elite women's sport. It fucking matters!!!

She probably had to restrain herself from saying, 'I don't support England thanks.'

YABU! I don't rate many politicians but not knowing anything about football ( men or women) or sport in general wouldn't bother me as I don't know anything about it either!
A few politicians like sport : cricket seems to be one they watch or Rugby?

I enjoy lots of women’s sports, just not football. Can’t see what’s wrong with that

Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all

The discussion is around what our politicians should know. I do think that they should have some idea of what's going on in the sporting world. Whether they should be able to name the England captain ..... not sure where I stand on that. But they should know the tournament is happening, where it's happening and that England may win it

Matters how? If England win, how is that going to change things for the vast, vast majority of people in England? It’s inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

YABU! I don't rate many politicians but not knowing anything about football ( men or women) or sport in general wouldn't bother me as I don't know anything about it either!

Seriously? You only expect politicians to be informed on subjects that you're interested in?

No, I just wouldn't be bothered if they didn't know who is who in the sporting world!
I'm sure a few do know a lot about sport but if they didn't then fair enough!
( unless it was the sports culture minister or something, they should know )
I think they should know more important things to be honest.

Matters how? If England win, how is that going to change things for the vast, vast majority of people in England? It’s inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

Well as 90% of the population are not LGBT, let's quit worrying about their rights: inconsequential to the majority. FFS! Can nobody see beyond their bubble today?

I think they should know more important things to be honest

Right. And who determines what the important things are? You? In which case it's not the football. Me? In which case it probably is the football.

I’d rather they knew about the things that really matter

So you're basically saying that a politician knowing the name of the captain of a female football team is more important than, say, the state of the economy, business issues, the NHS?

That makes you a bit of an idiot then.