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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why there’s so much talk on politics on mumsnet?

160 replies

Chloefairydust · 09/10/2022 06:26

Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s important to know what’s going on in the world and I’m as angry at the government as the next woman…

But sometimes it’s nice to come on mumsnet for a bit of escapism, and the lighter hearted topics…

Am I alone here?

OP posts:
Kendodd · 11/10/2022 09:56

XingMing · 10/10/2022 17:14

I am interested in politics and am always on the lookout for a good thread here. Generally learn something new and occasionally have scales peeled from my eyes. Most of the regular political posters, even those I disagree with, can debate arguments without name calling -- which is an enriching experience.

What scales have been peeled from your eyes?

j712adrian · 11/10/2022 10:55

Politics is life, whether you like it or not.

XingMing · 11/10/2022 11:38

Sometimes I read links that challenge what I thought I understood @Kendodd !

Kendodd · 11/10/2022 12:54

@XingMing

Can you give an example? I ask because I think political changes are incredibly rare, I think people get entrenched in their position even if all the evidence shows them to be wrong. Same is true of politicians. I don't understand why they get so slated over U turns even when the U turn is clearly the right thing to do.

One thing I've completely changed my opinion on (years ago now) is TWAW . I have complete respect for trans people, but sex is a fact that can't be ignored for feelings.

Kendodd · 11/10/2022 12:56

I keep expecting the scales to fall from Leave voters eyes but it never happens, don't think it ever will. Again, its feelings over facts and feelings will always win for them.

Kendodd · 11/10/2022 13:01

Interesting interview.

Blossomtoes · 11/10/2022 13:28

Fascinating. Thank you @Kendodd.

XingMing · 11/10/2022 20:25

OK @Kendodd . I'll bite. I was seriously on the fence during the Referendum campaign. I voted to stay in in 1975 but I took the view that there should have been a vote in 1992, on closer monetary and political union, and there wasn''t a vote. I remain very sceptical that the EU can produce a result that is going to suit all of Europe's 27 member nations. I do think the EU is a very positive important and generally benign institution, and mostly focused on what mattters most. I lament leaving but in 2016, I didn't know so I asked my son, who at 17 didn't have a vote, which way he wanted the result to turn out. He said leave. In retrospect, he knows it was the wrong call. But I still quite don't believe the EU has a sufficiently visionary central belief that is good enough to unite Estonia with Cyprus. Or even to align theirr interests.

XingMing · 11/10/2022 20:37

Does that help you understand why people might have voted differently? I was and remain fervently in favour of a free trade and customs free zone. I believe people should be free within that zone to sell their labour wherever they please. I also think it wiill be very tough on the UK's population if they have to compete for work and opportunities across borders.

StarDolphins · 11/10/2022 20:40

There’s never enough politics post for me, I love them.

There are a lot of other posts that I find boring so I just don’t click into them.

Blossomtoes · 11/10/2022 20:54

You know what they say about perfect being the enemy of good @XingMing.

XingMing · 11/10/2022 21:03

I do @Blossomtoes .

XingMing · 11/10/2022 21:07

But we must push forward because yesterday's battles are behind us.

Bacibaci · 11/10/2022 21:08

Chloefairydust · 09/10/2022 15:42

I think I would have more interest reading the threads that are obviously started by political activists if they actually educated me on what the Labour Party actually stands for nowadays instead of just Tory bashing posts … people need to know what else there is to vote for ( we are mostly already aware that the conservative government is a bit shit)

Well you could start by googling Keir Starmer’s speech at the Labour conference last month. Also go on Labour’s website.

TabithaTittlemouse · 11/10/2022 21:16

I like that I can read about politics on here because there are so many different views.

XingMing · 11/10/2022 21:23

That is a good open-minded starting point @TabithaTittlemouse . Read and think . There are loads of posts telling you what you should think.

Anonymouseposter · 11/10/2022 21:24

The reason there are a lot of political threads on MN is that a lot of people are interested in politics because politics affects people's lives.
It's like any other topic, people post about what interests them.
It isn't compulsory to read every post, if something doesn't interest you scroll past.

XingMing · 11/10/2022 21:25

Good heavens, are we getting to the stage of being reasonable?

I'm being facetious...

Kendodd · 11/10/2022 22:51

XingMing · 11/10/2022 20:25

OK @Kendodd . I'll bite. I was seriously on the fence during the Referendum campaign. I voted to stay in in 1975 but I took the view that there should have been a vote in 1992, on closer monetary and political union, and there wasn''t a vote. I remain very sceptical that the EU can produce a result that is going to suit all of Europe's 27 member nations. I do think the EU is a very positive important and generally benign institution, and mostly focused on what mattters most. I lament leaving but in 2016, I didn't know so I asked my son, who at 17 didn't have a vote, which way he wanted the result to turn out. He said leave. In retrospect, he knows it was the wrong call. But I still quite don't believe the EU has a sufficiently visionary central belief that is good enough to unite Estonia with Cyprus. Or even to align theirr interests.

That doesn't sound like 'scales falling from eyes' that sounds like being undecided and realising you jumped the wrong way. I was expecting a real conversation in thinking. I feel on the trans debate, scales really did fall from my eyes thanks to some posters on here. The biggest thing that gives me pause for thought on it now is when I look around and really don't like some of the people I'm standing with on it.

Thank you for answering btw. I think it's really important to change your opinion as needed, sadly so many people seem unable to do so. Look at the mess Putin has created, how many more people are going to die so he can try to save face. Likewise Truss and Kwarteng, they've completely fucked up, just changed track ffs.

XingMing · 13/10/2022 21:05

You are probably right @Kendodd . I don't feel the same about trans issues because my DC was in a very committed relationship with a trans person for almost a year. We never met, circumstances etc, especially CoVID, prevented. DH would have had conniptions at the idea.

XingMing · 13/10/2022 21:07

As it happens, I don't have an issue with trans people, other than not to wish to share intimate spaces like changing rooms with natal men.

TooBigForMyBoots · 13/10/2022 23:15

Most people would agree with you on that @XingMing. My dad(76) would have had "conniptions" (brilliant word, thanks for reminding me of it) if he had to share a ward with women when he was in hospital.

Fairislefandango · 14/10/2022 10:26

I like that I can read about politics on here because there are so many different views.

Me too. In real life, people I know tend to either be pretty aligned with my political views or not talk about politics at all, so MN is a good place to encounter more of a range.

MarshaBradyo · 14/10/2022 10:31

Fairislefandango · 14/10/2022 10:26

I like that I can read about politics on here because there are so many different views.

Me too. In real life, people I know tend to either be pretty aligned with my political views or not talk about politics at all, so MN is a good place to encounter more of a range.

But don’t you think people get slammed for different views?

I find it better to get political analysis from radii now as it’s so hard to have a decent conversation (there are a few threads thankfully the current BoE one is a good example)

There are a few who hold different views and I can’t recall a thread where they aren’t ridiculed and rounded on

ILeclercreturn · 14/10/2022 11:40

{Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s important to know what’s going on in the world and I’m as angry at the government as the next woman…}
Which takes things neatly onto politics in a world wide sense. It is important to understand, or at least be aware of other PEOPLE'S situations and point of view.
From a MN 'thread a year or two back I was interested in any damage that might have been inflicted on the TABLE in the thread about a MNetter 'accidentally' shagging the next door neighbour. MN is a smorgasbord of 'weirdness' with a wide range of views. As a handful who have posted earlier on this thread may recognise me as a 'bloke' for which I am not going to apologise and is irrelevant for almost everything as I treat all people as PEOPLE whether they want to wear unrepresentative clothes or whatever. I enjoy the company of anyone who has something intelligent to say who can back up their views with arguments that are ultimately pragmatic and realistic, thus neatly omitting those who argue 'just because' typically former leave voters or 'fashion 'experts'. Adding cats and music then things can move forward. The brain is a muscle and it needs exercising regularly.