Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
19 February 2009
17:4415688There is a very interesting letter in todays Dover Express from Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative candidate for Dover and Deal. Charlie has called for a Clean Debate and asks for restraint on the personal attacks on Gwyn Prosser MP that have been appearing in the newspaper. This is an interesting development and Charlie is obviously keen to present the nice face of Conservatism
Charlie says
"...I write this as I am concerned by the deeply personal nature of the attacks directed at Mr Prosser!"
and geos on
"Mr Prosser strikes me as an honourable man..."
So this is indeed a welcome approach to local politics where the tone is often quite nasty, as indeed it is at national level too. But is Charlie isolated in this approach and on a Conservative island? Even his leader in the House, David Cameron, spends each week wading into the Prime Minister often in a deeply insulting and personal manner, in the express interests of bumping the opinion polls up a point or two, and with, it seems, little regard for the state of the country. This nastiness sadly permeates down from the top into every walk of political life, so people writing to the papers feel they have to be just as personally nasty to make a point.
If you are trying to beat the opposition in politics it doesnt necessary follow that the said opposition is some sort of wicked wretch needing decapitation. Why it always has to be presented this way is one of the stupid proliferations of politics. The nation is sick of the Punch and Judy stuff as any research will tell you. So maybe Charlie has something there. I applaud his approach.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
19 February 2009
18:2415690Charlie doesn't know GP as well as I do!!!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
19 February 2009
18:4015692Charlie don't know you Barry,like we do!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 February 2009
20:3515708we have to give chas the benefit of the doubt here.
i don't know the man(never get invites to true blue coffee mornings) but i have a suspicion that he is fairly sincere and wants to the best he can for the dover area if elected.
the original post from paul said what a lot of people are thinking about the exchanges in the commons at this terrible time(yes it is terrible), worst since the thirties at minimum.
i have said before on this organ that it is time for politicians of all persuasions to try to pull together for the future
well being of our country.
If Mr E is trying in our neck of the woods, maybe gwyn and victor should voice similar views.
John
check his ticket though, next time you see him at the station, you cannot trust anyone nowadays.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,695
19 February 2009
23:0115714I agree about giving CE the benefit of the doubt
I also agree with him about keeping any election clean and about the issues not the person.
Predictable response from BW - again
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
20 February 2009
06:0815723In 1987 when GP was first elected to Dover District Council he was the first person to introduce quite nasty and highly personal attacks into the Council Chamber. I suspect that Charlie's call for no such attacks to therefore be a bit of wishful thinking.
GP's record as MP for Dover is a valid issue for debate that I have raised many times but it is right that candidates themselves do not get involved in the negative side.
20 February 2009
07:4415725Bottom line: a fresh and less vitriolic approach to politics has to be applauded, whatever hue you are. Debate can be conducted in a courteous way, and votes can be won without relying on character assassination. Behind closed doors I suspect the usual machinations will continue, but a pleasant and courteous facade will do it for me!!!
20 February 2009
10:3015728It was nice to see a politician refusing to indulge in the petty point scoring and sniping that the two main parties usually specialise in. A refreshing and decent approach from Charlie - and true too...Gwyn is a good and honourable man and MP.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
20 February 2009
11:2615730mmm one wonders at times theres no honor beteewn thieves these days.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
20 February 2009
11:4615732Hear! Hear!, Charlie is like a breath of fresh air, with no cutting comments or political sideswipes targeted at the opposition. As he says, Gwyn is an honourable man and you gain an awful lot of respect from the electorate if you are not publicly constantly plunging the knife into the back of the opposition candidate, so to speak. Okay, so it is early days in the political wranglings, but the starting blocks are laid down. Nice One, Charlie
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
20 February 2009
18:2315768One from the archives...
This picture isnt by me but was sent to me a good while back for usage. I think this was fairly soon after Charlie's hat was thrown into the ring, so as you can see here he started off on the road he meant to travel..and is still sticking to his goodwill guns. Nice picture.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 February 2009
18:5115773maybe gwyn could lend charlie one of his ties?
it would show willing.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
20 February 2009
18:5815776a red or blue one howard.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 February 2009
19:0215778i think a red and blue tie would be nice brian.
maybe ken or vic will donate one of there many ties of this blend.?
