to not understand how someone brought up...

[NickNemo]

... in an unbelievably privileged environment and who is currently living a lifestyle that is far beyond the means of the everyday man-on-street, can even begin to understand what people who can barely make ends meet go through in real life?

I am talking about you, David Cameron!

AIBU? I probably am!

Well.... I would think that's entirely plausible thesecondcoming. Why should he not? Most people have a far richer social circle than just the people they went to school or university with.

Have never understood this notion that people with lower incomes (call them poor/working class/ whatever u like) are more "real" somehow than wealthy people. Everyone's view of the world is limited by their own experience and anyone has the potential to fail to grasp the realities of life for any sections of society whose background differs from their own.

I'm enjoying the way so many are just jumping to his defence...how can he possibly know what it's like to just be 'getting by' in life??? you do actually have to know what it's like to be poor, to really really understand it.
I can't imagine putting myself in a rich person's place as I've no idea what that's like on a day to day basis. I'd happily try it out though!

YABU. maybe he doesn't eat beans on toasts regularly but he can have empathy and insight into other people's experiences. not saying he does or doesn't, but it's not to do with personal wealth.

agree with MsHighwater.

Tony Blair was really a man of the people though, eh

honestly, if you want to slate anything about him it would be better to slate his policies, speeches, opinions, ANYTHING rather than his background.

YABU. Sorry. Agree with Mrs H et al.

Wait a minute didn't Blair go to Fettes and Oxford?

tbh, i'd rather see the PM hobnobbing with people at the top of their fields who can advise on policies, etc. than hanging with the cashiers at Asda.

yeah Goodnightmoon... agree with you there... we'd end up with Jeremy Fecking Kyle... shudders!

That said, anything, and I mean ANYTHING has to be better than that shower of shite we have at the helm at the moment... Talk about selling us all down the river... and don't get me started on Mandy...

If they were tory, they could almost (..almost) be forgiven, but they are supposed to be representing the Working Class, Mr & Mrs Average... not just lining the pockets of the favoured few. I don't know how anyone with half a conscience could contemplate voting for Labour, they are vile, vile, vile.

Sorry but this is a rubbish argument. I don't know a great deal about DC so am accepting the general consensus on this thread that he comes from a priveleged background. And that presumably means that we shouldn't vote for him because he has no understanding of "the common people".

OP, are you therefore suggesting that Labour politicians are "in touch" with you and me because they are apparently less priveleged? As if Tony and Cheri had moved to No 10 from a council estate and Cheri had cleaned other people's houses for a living

YANBU to wonder. And then rather than assuming, we have to give him a chance to show us he does understand lifestyles beyond his own experience, and unfortunately he has not yet demonstrated it. I'd be happy if he did because this is my biggest worry about Cameron, but so far he really really hasn't.

YABU to suggest that someone cannot understand a situation they haven't been in.

I have never (for example) lost a husband or a parent but I can imagine how heartbreakingly painful it must be.

I have never had to worry about feeding my children but I can imagine the gut wrenching worry I'd suffer if I couldn't.

We live in a village very similar to the one where David Cameron grew up. There are houses worth many millions, three bedroom semis (such as ours), and housing association houses all in close proximity to each other. Everybody knows each other, everybody mixes with each other, and surprise surprise we talk to one another. Just because somebody comes form a wealthy family, there is no reason to assume that they live in a bubble. New money versus old money has nothing to do with it. I would imagine that if you had aspirations to succeed in politics, you would make it your business to talk with as many people as possible about as many issues as possible.

I don't know DC personally, so I have no idea of the composition of his friendship group. I do think that judging a politician on the basis of assumptions like this is fairly ridiculous though. Talk about his policies, talk about his ability, talk about his commitment by all means - but let's make politics about something more meaningful than social standing.

I think if you are born into privilege it is incredibly hard to understand how others live. I bet he's never been in a council flat unless he's campaigning and knows nobody who struggles with bills. He simply hasn't had diverse people to mix with either.

He seems a genuinely nice man, as did Tony, and I think he thinks he can make Britain a better place. As he is going to be our next PM I sincerely hope he can.

Well, that's a more sensible position.

I probably won't be voting conservative either to be honest, although I know there are a lot of people working in special education who are hoping he'll sort the current mess out.

YABU.

He should be commended for choosing a life of serving the public rather than sipping champagne on a yacht in the south of France - which I'm sure is an attractive option for many with his cash!

Do you seriously expect that the country can only be run by smack-addled divorcess from a grim council estate in Hull?

Sorry, haven't been on for a bit.

I can understand how there are several politicians who are personally quite wealthy and wouldn't really know what its like to be on the breadline. So, like I mentioned, perhaps I was being U when I singled out DC.

However, it does bother me that there are several of his advisers who are also incredibly wealthy (George Osbourne, for one). I just can't see how they can truly understand what its like for someone who is trying to make ends meet, working at four jobs, and trying really hard to give their family a good life.

Can someone who does not have some sort of personal wealth/ job that provides a good income really truly go into politics? I know I'd like to at some point, but no way could I afford it.

I think YABU and blinkered. He probably has more experience on visiting and meeting with people from more walks of life than you do. Empathy and understanding is what makes a good leader. Not what his voice sounds like.

I also totally disagree with theseconcoming - i know of people born into titles and privileges who hang out with anybody no matter what their background. they view people on character, not background or title. It is usually the people with little that have the biggest chips on their shoulders about the people who are lucky enough through circumstance to be born with a lot.

it's crap being in the minority sometimes isn't it thesecondcoming - have been there on many a thread myself. Stick to your guns. If it's any consolation I see where you are coming from.

Most politicians not just DC haven't a clue where most everyday people are coming from. I'd love to nominate myself for a pay increase when the notion took me, but hey hum, that's not about to happen is it. Politicians on the other hand...

Was David Cameron's upbringing any more priviliged that Tony Blair's?
Both went to boarding school and oxbridge, both have wealthy wives
Blair's background wasn't seen as preventing him from being in touch with real issues...

Blair isn't any better though, I agree sparechange