York, Durham, Exeter

[GodessOfThunder]

These universities seem feature in a disproportionate amount of discussion on Mumsnet as institutions commenters see as desirable for their DC to attend. Obviously they are well regarded universities, but why do they attract more discussion here than other Russell group universities, especially those in northern and midlands post-industrial cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham and Birmingham?

A few possible reasons were suggested by DH:

• They enjoy an undue level of perceived prestige due to being in smaller old cities/towns like Oxbridge
• The Mumsnet user base is skewed towards the SE and biased against post-industrial cities. Mumsnetters are less likely to be familiar with them and hold “grim up north” perceptions.
• There is a “showing off” factor in starting threads and commenting that DC has applied for, or attends, these institutions - the same goes for the “Oxbridge support” threads, the like of which you never see for red bricks.

Does anyone agree, or are there other explanatory factors?

No. Definitely not voting either. More useless people queuing up to be just as useless as the previous ones. No one faces up to the issues with clarity of thought and long term policies. Short term rhetoric and a belief that spending cures all ills when you simply don’t generate enough money needs to be called out with alternatives considered. But they are vote losers so they won’t be. So no one gets my vote. They don’t deserve it.

Only extremely wealthy and privileged people who live in a bubble sheltered from the reality of what is happening in this country would vote Tory now.

I'd say 80% of my non extremely wealthy and privileged friends will vote Conservative at the next election. Not because they've done a great job but because they don't agree with Labour/Lib Dem ideologies. I'm in the same camp.

But that's a debate for a different thread.

Not voting is a weak person’s response to the current political situation @TizerorFizz What would the suffragettes say?

The people who threw themselves in front of horses so your daughter could become a barrister @TizerorFizz

@LaDeeDa123 Could not give a flying wats it. Simply not interested in the rubbish we have now. Or your goady posts that follow me around like a (insert something!) I’m old enough to make my own mind up about politics thank you.

It’s by no means clear direct action by the WSPU achieved 100% of every goal for women either. It actually split the woman’s movement and other women were not happy with bombs.

I’ve only ever seen you on here @TizerorFizz and as for goady…😂

Think Exeter is runner up for the Times University of the year. Out today. York shortlisted, winner is UCL.

Interesting @Turmerictolly - that's our next (and last) open day next month.

Agree with this - one of kids went there and another is currently there and they were/are one of only a few northerners on their respective courses!

A shout out for collegiate universities. I went to Lancaster a very long time ago and it was so easy to make friends in your college. York is very similar - a lot to be said for being happy at Uni.