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Original poster

Please don't patronise me

28 replies

notwavingjustironing · 20/04/2010 14:06

I'm sure in the run up to the announcement of the election all of the parties were rubbing their hands at the rich seam of websites available for direct contact with the electorate, with Mumsnet being the jewel in the crown, if you believe what you read in the papers!

I realise that how elections are fought and won have changed over the years, and that this is now an important tool in the strategy.

So it would seem appropriate that the PR machines would use high profile sites to get their messages across.

However, over the last week or so there have been a number of really clumsy attempts to "influence" for want of a better word.

I always thought that your politics were between you and the ballot box, and it seems a bit strange if you are not involved with a party (of any calling) to suddenly want to stand on the rooftops and proclaim your persuasion.

I'm genuinely interested in whether you all think that there are "professional posters" put on here to try to influence people, or whether it is just genuine MNers speaking their minds?

If it is professional posting - don't you think they should be a bit better prepared?

I'm not deriding any one poster or thread,or trying to "out" anyone but I can't help feeling cynical, and a tiny bit patronised?

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 20/04/2010 14:10

The place is riddled with them notwaving. Its very predictable and they will disappear just as quickly as they came.. Meanwhile, why not hide the Politics topic and forget about it all?

Very few regular Mumsnetters seem to be inclined to start threads on the Election, so I wouldn't worry that you are missing anything.

Original poster
notwavingjustironing · 20/04/2010 14:11

that's not a bad idea. The whole thing is riling me unnecessarily!

OP posts:
helyg · 20/04/2010 14:11

Having stepped out of my little naive cave I can see what you mean.

But, as you say, some of the posts which could be "professional posters" are, well, far from professional!

Or is this deliberate, do they think that if they make lots of mistakes etc they will look more like genuine posters?

Hassled · 20/04/2010 14:13

Well there do seem to be new posters who aren't especially interested in breastfeeding but do have a burning desire to talk politics . But that's inevitable, isn't it? And does it matter? It's made for some heated and healthy debate - the threads I've read have certainly given me things to think about.

I think the patronising tones are just part and parcel of that belief that you are right and everyone else is wrong - if you feel passionately about something, and are completely certain that your feelings are correct, then it seems to follow (for the less tolerant amongst us ) that you'll think other people are idiots not to agree.

jonicomelately · 20/04/2010 14:14

I worry people would think I may be because I'm genuinely quite political. I'd be seriously cheesed off if I felt I had to curtail my views because of what others may think. I think there's nothing we can do about it and for what it's worth, most people can, I imagine, spot them a mile off.

BertieBotts · 20/04/2010 14:15

Oh, I am loving all the discussion. It's eye-opening to me, I have never really taken an interest in politics before (as wasn't old enough to vote last time, have never discussed it with family, etc) and I am interested in it all, even the really obvious plants!

Original poster
notwavingjustironing · 20/04/2010 14:16

yes, and I suppose that's the problem. I'm not prepared to argue the toss with anyone, because I don't particularly want to discuss my politics with anyone

On the other hand, I am really irritated by people "accidentally" falling upon a marvellous speech etc and feeling the need to share it with me.

I want to shout "I can see you!!"

I'd much rather hear about someone's Asda delivery

OP posts:
YesYouMust · 20/04/2010 14:17

I am a regular, just a recently name changed one, i started a thread in politics, i doubt anyone would think i am here to influence anyone, though maybe that was why virtually no one answered my query...

EggyAllenPoe · 20/04/2010 14:20

you don't think that perhaps, politically minded mums have been drawn to Mumsnet by all the fuss too?

and that people like myself, who feel immense political apathy most of the time, might feel like shoving forwards their spoon into the election soupe?

Poledra · 20/04/2010 14:20

I know a lot of the threads seem to be started by moles, as it were, but I'm another one who is enjoying the debate that follows from the OP. I am genuinely political, but find myself a bit behind the times these days so it's useful to hear the arguments without having to look at some politician's (or journalist's, for that matter ) smug fizzog.

ahundredtimes · 20/04/2010 14:20

I think I agree you with notwaving

I'm finding the plants a bit confusing. There's quite a lot of talking at and then 'I'm only giving you the facts' sort of talk.

It'd be great if the plants - some of whom do make an effort to join in the 'community' - could declare themselves on a thread somewhere.

It all feels a bit influence by stealth.

it's making me jumpy

Original poster
notwavingjustironing · 20/04/2010 14:24

I honestly don't have a problem with people standing up for what they believe in and I'm all for free speech (even if I don't agree with them , but its pretending that you've suddenly seen the light that irritates me.

If one of them wants to come and talk to me about shoes, then I'll talk to them about politics!

Eggy - yes you do have a good point there, I suppose what I'm saying is that they need to sound genuine - and that's the bit I'm struggling with.

OP posts:
TheTriffid · 20/04/2010 14:27

I declare myself to be A Plant!!

EggyAllenPoe · 20/04/2010 14:29

for triffibula...

i heart John Wyndham, his books are islands of darkness, even on the sunniest day...

LadyBlaBlah · 20/04/2010 14:33

I have been on some of the election threads and have not spotted anything obvious. I must be really dense.

EggyAllenPoe · 20/04/2010 14:34

actually, quite a lot of threads on here are started off by never-heard of OP's that vanish into the ether...having posted once, get shy afer that...

Meh, as far as i am concerned, i usspct they are wasting their time, as surely the most, shall we say, virulent Mumsnetters are pretty damned opinionated and not about to hange their stripes erely because someone has written a little piece of political posturing?

Also, when i see those words on the screen, my first instinct, is to disagree...

ahundredtimes · 20/04/2010 14:37

I don't know. I sometimes find MN quite valuable for information, even if it means I won't necessarily change my opinions if that makes sense.

I've learnt a lot about PR on here. But last night I clicked on a thread about what a hung parliament would mean, thinking it would be a discussion about that, but it wasn't quite that in the end. . .

gingercat12 · 20/04/2010 14:55

I am glad I am not the only one having the impression that some threads have professional PR written all over them.

alicatte · 20/04/2010 15:36

I got accused by someone a couple of days ago and it was so untrue and unfair - I'm still hurt. It was even claimed that I was only posting on political threads which again was so untrue. Even if people are new they might just be interested in the election that we happen to be having. I,m back at school tomorrow so will go quiet because of that.

alicatte · 20/04/2010 15:37

OMG I do sound paranoid now.

Molesworth · 20/04/2010 15:45

I haven't noticed any either LadyBlaBlah - I've been enjoying all the political threads and took it as a sign that people were genuinely interested in the election

MayorNaze · 20/04/2010 15:49

i have commented on some of the clearly tongue in cheek threads started by well known mners.

but, tbh, while i am interested in all areas of mn and will judge commment on anything that catches my eye, my actual personal political leanings are something, like a lot of things i could air on here, that i prefer to keep to myself.

that doesn't mean that i am a full blown nazi or anything that i want to hide, just that you won't find me posting - "gosh i will definitely vote for gordon" etc etc

so there, little parliamentary spin posters

atlantis · 20/04/2010 16:36

"I think the patronising tones are just part and parcel of that belief that you are right and everyone else is wrong - if you feel passionately about something, and are completely certain that your feelings are correct, then it seems to follow (for the less tolerant amongst us ) that you'll think other people are idiots not to agree."

Agreed.

I mean how can you people not see that DC is the best thing since sliced bread and that I'm right ?

...And if you do vote conservative and it all goes pear shaped I will of course apologise (almost) immediately, hang my mouse in shame and listen to others views next time .

Barnaby1in10 · 20/04/2010 16:37

I planted one as I listened to a discussion about mumsnet on women's hour on my way to work.

During that program I came up with the campaign slogan "Parent the planet" They are now the first words on our new web site as parents have first hand understanding of what responsibility means.

I campaign for a bottom up global campaign called Simpol where you can vote in a new way to drive all candidates -within reason-to solve global problems globally, problems like climate change, war, poverty, environmental destruction, injustice.

I don't have a child yet but a very large twinkle in my eye and girlfriend who is up for it, soonish.

Barnaby1in10 · 20/04/2010 16:40

oops, not a very good planter am i
simpol.org.uk/
See our new film of mothers, dads, youths all agreeing that we are interconected and need to get together to take responsibility for each other, globally.