What makes politicians tick

[TSSeasider]

I'm working with a small group of colleagues on a national campaign and had the pleasure recently to spend a few hours with Ed Milliband's former advisor.

He was an absolute joy of a bloke.

Anyway he encapsulated what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved and support your campaign (this was from someone else, who he quoted but it's the first time I'd heard it).

You need a villain
You need a victim
You need their help
You need to make them a hero

I asked him whether that's why they try and project that mentality onto us.

Using the SNP play book - but they are all at it.

Either Boris, or Westminster
The Scottish people
Vote
It will be an act of patriotism and heroism to escape to forge our own paths.

Setting it so clearly makes it so obvious what they are trying to do to us.

After he left, one of the group couldn't help herself and said that for all his interesting words, "he's part of the political problem. White, middle class, male and Oxford educated and we wouldn't have reacted the same way if a Black woman has said that to us."

I couldn't let that stand, and told her to "speak for yourself - oh and his dad was a miner from Wales."

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and frames much of how the political class frame what they tell us.

And actually it's pretty infantile.

 

[Lala]

I'm working with a small group of colleagues on a national campaign and had the pleasure recently to spend a few hours with Ed Milliband's former advisor.

He was an absolute joy of a bloke.

Anyway he encapsulated what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved and support your campaign (this was from someone else, who he quoted but it's the first time I'd heard it).

You need a villain
You need a victim
You need their help
You need to make them a hero

I asked him whether that's why they try and project that mentality onto us.

Using the SNP play book - but they are all at it.

Either Boris, or Westminster
The Scottish people
Vote
It will be an act of patriotism and heroism to escape to forge our own paths.

Setting it so clearly makes it so obvious what they are trying to do to us.

After he left, one of the group couldn't help herself and said that for all his interesting words, "he's part of the political problem. White, middle class, male and Oxford educated and we wouldn't have reacted the same way if a Black woman has said that to us."

I couldn't let that stand, and told her to "speak for yourself - oh and his dad was a miner from Wales."

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and frames much of how the political class frame what they tell us.

And actually it's pretty infantile.

I think a lot of the time a many of us can see that’s the strategy at play. As you say, to have it spelt out and acknowledged in such simple terms is refreshing.

 

[1966_and_all_that]

I'm working with a small group of colleagues on a national campaign and had the pleasure recently to spend a few hours with Ed Milliband's former advisor.

He was an absolute joy of a bloke.

Anyway he encapsulated what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved and support your campaign (this was from someone else, who he quoted but it's the first time I'd heard it).

You need a villain
You need a victim
You need their help
You need to make them a hero

I asked him whether that's why they try and project that mentality onto us.

Using the SNP play book - but they are all at it.

Either Boris, or Westminster
The Scottish people
Vote
It will be an act of patriotism and heroism to escape to forge our own paths.

Setting it so clearly makes it so obvious what they are trying to do to us.

After he left, one of the group couldn't help herself and said that for all his interesting words, "he's part of the political problem. White, middle class, male and Oxford educated and we wouldn't have reacted the same way if a Black woman has said that to us."

I couldn't let that stand, and told her to "speak for yourself - oh and his dad was a miner from Wales."

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and frames much of how the political class frame what they tell us.

And actually it's pretty infantile.

This coming from a supporter of the far right Taxpayers Alliance. Are we expected to just sit here and take this as gospel? Most of us haven't got open access to these elites. We have to put up with what what we're given.

I think we all need to get posting and tell you where to get off. Then you'll really see the strength of feeling!

Edit: I'm not being serious btw. I was just trying to frame a post in your villain/victim/help/hero scenario.

 

[rockontommy]

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.
H.L. Mencken

 

[glasshalffull]

I'm working with a small group of colleagues on a national campaign and had the pleasure recently to spend a few hours with Ed Milliband's former advisor.

He was an absolute joy of a bloke.

Anyway he encapsulated what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved and support your campaign (this was from someone else, who he quoted but it's the first time I'd heard it).

You need a villain
You need a victim
You need their help
You need to make them a hero

I asked him whether that's why they try and project that mentality onto us.

Using the SNP play book - but they are all at it.

Either Boris, or Westminster
The Scottish people
Vote
It will be an act of patriotism and heroism to escape to forge our own paths.

Setting it so clearly makes it so obvious what they are trying to do to us.

After he left, one of the group couldn't help herself and said that for all his interesting words, "he's part of the political problem. White, middle class, male and Oxford educated and we wouldn't have reacted the same way if a Black woman has said that to us."

I couldn't let that stand, and told her to "speak for yourself - oh and his dad was a miner from Wales."

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and frames much of how the political class frame what they tell us.

And actually it's pretty infantile.

Very oversimplistic, but I guess that is their ideal scenario to operate in.

 

[Davepick]

I watch PMs Q time often.
When I see some of the 'so called' MPs I often think 'Would they get a job anywhere else?'.
Some real dorks running our country. Or is it 'ruining our country'?

 

[tangerine.com]

I watch PMs Q time often.
When I see some of the 'so called' MPs I often think 'Would they get a job anywhere else?'.
Some real dorks running our country. Or is it 'ruining our country'?

As someone said, we have to thank their parents for paying for their education because then at least the taxpayer hasn’t paid for them to make a mess of the country.

 

[ballysboots]

To be economical with the truth. Cover all bases.

 

[TSSeasider]

Very oversimplistic, but I guess that is their ideal scenario to operate in.

There was some other stuff he says, which makes me think "are they really like that" - as in that simple, but he was adamant that they aren't that complicated.

Anyway, Grimshaw is back in goal, let's hope he doesn't need to play brilliantly as we are well on top

 

[Mexboroseasider]

I'm working with a small group of colleagues on a national campaign and had the pleasure recently to spend a few hours with Ed Milliband's former advisor.

He was an absolute joy of a bloke.

Anyway he encapsulated what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved and support your campaign (this was from someone else, who he quoted but it's the first time I'd heard it).

You need a villain
You need a victim
You need their help
You need to make them a hero

I asked him whether that's why they try and project that mentality onto us.

Using the SNP play book - but they are all at it.

Either Boris, or Westminster
The Scottish people
Vote
It will be an act of patriotism and heroism to escape to forge our own paths.

Setting it so clearly makes it so obvious what they are trying to do to us.

After he left, one of the group couldn't help herself and said that for all his interesting words, "he's part of the political problem. White, middle class, male and Oxford educated and we wouldn't have reacted the same way if a Black woman has said that to us."

I couldn't let that stand, and told her to "speak for yourself - oh and his dad was a miner from Wales."

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and frames much of how the political class frame what they tell us.

And actually it's pretty infantile.

Sorry but you seem to be saying two different things.

The op is asking “what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved in your campaign?” In other words how do you get a politician to work for you in whatever the cause is that you’re trying to promote?

But you then seem to say this is how politicians try to manipulate the electorate. In your example the SNP but as you say it could apply equally to Farage, the ERG and Brexit or any other politician or cause.

I’m not saying you’re wrong on either count. I’m just trying to clarify the point you’re trying to make.

 

[Trammo]

I'm working with a small group of colleagues on a national campaign and had the pleasure recently to spend a few hours with Ed Milliband's former advisor.

He was an absolute joy of a bloke.

Anyway he encapsulated what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved and support your campaign (this was from someone else, who he quoted but it's the first time I'd heard it).

You need a villain
You need a victim
You need their help
You need to make them a hero

I asked him whether that's why they try and project that mentality onto us.

Using the SNP play book - but they are all at it.

Either Boris, or Westminster
The Scottish people
Vote
It will be an act of patriotism and heroism to escape to forge our own paths.

Setting it so clearly makes it so obvious what they are trying to do to us.

After he left, one of the group couldn't help herself and said that for all his interesting words, "he's part of the political problem. White, middle class, male and Oxford educated and we wouldn't have reacted the same way if a Black woman has said that to us."

I couldn't let that stand, and told her to "speak for yourself - oh and his dad was a miner from Wales."

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and frames much of how the political class frame what they tell

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.
H.L. Mencken

Not imaginary Jeremy Corblimey is well hobgoblin

 

[Costero Poderoso]

I've worked for / with quite a few over the years not in the UK but have met several UK MPs in a professional capacity. I think of them all maybe two of them had actual understanding of what they were doing and one of them wasn't a political figure until he got elected but he understood where and when to get expertise. The rest relied on advisers who were either on the track to political positions themselves so were simple yes men / women or were industry / policy biased lobbyist types. My own experience is that politics is a mono culture, and most people in it are simple careerists at best or power hungry meglamaniacs at worse

 

[TSSeasider]

Sorry but you seem to be saying two different things.

The op is asking “what makes a politician tick and for them to get involved in your campaign?” In other words how do you get a politician to work for you in whatever the cause is that you’re trying to promote?

But you then seem to say this is how politicians try to manipulate the electorate. In your example the SNP but as you say it could apply equally to Farage, the ERG and Brexit or any other politician or cause.

I’m not saying you’re wrong on either count. I’m just trying to clarify the point you’re trying to make.

You are correct.

He explained that's how politicians think and if we want them to help, it's a pretty simple formula to follow and we won't go too far wrong of we follow it.

It got me thinking so I asked, if that's why they project those ideas on to the public.

He basically agreed.

I had never thought of it in those terms - although I had seen (and referenced on here) that all needed a bogeyman.Johnson being a fascist Brexit, The EU, Corbyn being a danger etc etc we all painted as a villain; that we needed saving from.

Mick Lynch was doing a brilliant job at it - but it's now being painted as the villain, working families trying to enjoy Christmas the victims, Sunak can help us but chasing the law, which makes him a hero.

He said Alistair Campbell was a master at creating 'villains'.

It's very simplistic, it's really childish but it does play out

 

[Mexboroseasider]

You are correct.

He explained that's how politicians think and if we want them to help, it's a pretty simple formula to follow and we won't go too far wrong of we follow it.

It got me thinking so I asked, if that's why they project those ideas on to the public.

He basically agreed.

I had never thought of it in those terms - although I had seen (and referenced on here) that all needed a bogeyman.Johnson being a fascist Brexit, The EU, Corbyn being a danger etc etc we all painted as a villain; that we needed saving from.

Mick Lynch was doing a brilliant job at it - but it's now being painted as the villain, working families trying to enjoy Christmas the victims, Sunak can help us but chasing the law, which makes him a hero.

He said Alistair Campbell was a master at creating 'villains'.

It's very simplistic, it's really childish but it does play out

You’re right it is simplistic and childish but politicians do it because it clearly works with the electorate.

You see that on here all the time, even with those of us who claim they know what’s really going on. Just take a look at the Johnny Mathis thread.

The “villain” there is the supposed “woke left” but the interesting thing is that there isn’t really a quantifiable outcome with stoking up the culture wars. It’s just a trigger to get people going. If they’re talking (and getting angry) about the lyrics to a song, the thinking is they won’t be talking (and getting angry) about the real issues most people are currently struggling with.

It’s clearly just a distraction from the real problems the country faces, but people enjoy a good old ding dong so jump all over it.