Michael Foot RIP
Posted by: JamieL_v2 on 03 March 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8547228.stm
Former Labour leader, writer, founder member of CND, and one of the great parliamentary orators of his time has died at the age of 96.
The first party leader I voted for when I became old enough to vote.
A sad loss, but a good innings.
Former Labour leader, writer, founder member of CND, and one of the great parliamentary orators of his time has died at the age of 96.
The first party leader I voted for when I became old enough to vote.
A sad loss, but a good innings.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mick P
Jamie
Never ever get sentimental because someone has died.
Michael Foot was a prize pillock whose outdated policies were daft even by the standards of the old lefty bridgade of the seventies.
Goodness knows what damage he would have done had he been elected, just remember he was happy with an upper tax bracket of 98p in the Pound.
The only good thing about him was that he was such an old waffling fool, he guaranteed Maggie Thatchers second term in office.
The sooner we are rid of his lot, the better.
Regards
Mick
Never ever get sentimental because someone has died.
Michael Foot was a prize pillock whose outdated policies were daft even by the standards of the old lefty bridgade of the seventies.
Goodness knows what damage he would have done had he been elected, just remember he was happy with an upper tax bracket of 98p in the Pound.
The only good thing about him was that he was such an old waffling fool, he guaranteed Maggie Thatchers second term in office.
The sooner we are rid of his lot, the better.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Officer DBL
He did make the Donkey Jacket the must have fashion accessory, bless him.
B
B
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mick P
No he made it totally unfashionable.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Officer DBL
I was being ironic.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by JamieL_v2
Sorry Mick, I disagree, you are welcome to your views on Thatcher, but unlike Foot, I will not be sorry when she dies, in fact I will have a major celebration.
I am completely in agreement with Frankie Boyle on that woman, "The only debate people I know are having about her funeral, is whether she should be dead or not before we bury her." He goes on to some more pointed remarks.
I may not agree with Michael Foot's proposed rates of tax, but on being a parliamentarian and a gentleman, he was a great success.
I am completely in agreement with Frankie Boyle on that woman, "The only debate people I know are having about her funeral, is whether she should be dead or not before we bury her." He goes on to some more pointed remarks.
I may not agree with Michael Foot's proposed rates of tax, but on being a parliamentarian and a gentleman, he was a great success.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mick P
Jamie
Your posting is representative of just what a failure he was. You raise an obituary and you immediately mention Maggie.
He will go down in history as the old fool who provided the least effective opposition to Maggie.
If you dislike Maggie, you should dislike Foot for giving her such an easy time. He was the best enemy we ever had.
Regards
Mick
Your posting is representative of just what a failure he was. You raise an obituary and you immediately mention Maggie.
He will go down in history as the old fool who provided the least effective opposition to Maggie.
If you dislike Maggie, you should dislike Foot for giving her such an easy time. He was the best enemy we ever had.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mike Dudley
He was terrific on "Spitting Image", though. I'll always remember him for that... 
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mike-B
Sorry to hear of any person passing away, Foot was a great orator, but not much else.
But lets not get sentimental over politians. The loony left of the 60's & 70's, Foot, Healy, Ben & too many more to mention, were all responsible for taking the great out of GB, supporting (capitulating to) left wing extremists & allowing GB & our industry to decline to practically nothing.
But lets not get sentimental over politians. The loony left of the 60's & 70's, Foot, Healy, Ben & too many more to mention, were all responsible for taking the great out of GB, supporting (capitulating to) left wing extremists & allowing GB & our industry to decline to practically nothing.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Howlinhounddog
quote:The only good thing about him was that he was such an old waffling fool, he guaranteed Maggie Thatchers second term in office.
The sooner we are rid of his lot, the better.
Mick, the spawn of Thatcher did get rid of His lot. His name was Tony Blair (remember the repeal of clause 4 and New Labour ).
Interestingly, the very things that clause 4 stood for have came to pass...banks in public ownership. However perhaps Thatcher relaxing the rules on just what financial institutions could get up to has more than a passing relation to just why as a country we stand on the abyss of ruination.
Jamie please let me know where the party will be on Thatchers passing will be held. I intend to mark that occasion by getting uproariously drunk. We could perhaps hold a street party. Any minning town that still has occupants would surely close their streets for that !
By Thatchers standards Foot was a Saint and a man of principal. RIP.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by OscillateWildly
Hello Mick,
It was the Falklands War that saved Mrs T.
One thing, MPs appear to have been more passionate.
Cheers,
OW
quote:The only good thing about him was that he was such an old waffling fool, he guaranteed Maggie Thatchers second term in office.
It was the Falklands War that saved Mrs T.
One thing, MPs appear to have been more passionate.
Cheers,
OW
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by JamieL_v2
Mick, I think it was you who mentioned that woman first, I only responded.
Better to remembered as somewhat ineffectual and a good person than the legacy she will leave behind.
Better to remembered as somewhat ineffectual and a good person than the legacy she will leave behind.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by David Scott
Mick,
It's fine for you to disagree with Michael Foots politics and it's true his leadership of the party came too late, in more than one sense - if indeed it was ever really the right role for him. But he was a brilliant, cultured, passionate and compassionate man who fought his whole life for policies that he sincerely believed - rightly or wrongly - would improve the lives of millions. Your cheap insults do you very little credit.
Watching his conference speech as leader once I thought of Yeats:
An aged man is but a paltry thing
A tattered coat upon a stick unless
Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing
for every tatter in its mortal dress
If more of us had his spirit, energy and decency the world would be better for it.
It's fine for you to disagree with Michael Foots politics and it's true his leadership of the party came too late, in more than one sense - if indeed it was ever really the right role for him. But he was a brilliant, cultured, passionate and compassionate man who fought his whole life for policies that he sincerely believed - rightly or wrongly - would improve the lives of millions. Your cheap insults do you very little credit.
Watching his conference speech as leader once I thought of Yeats:
An aged man is but a paltry thing
A tattered coat upon a stick unless
Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing
for every tatter in its mortal dress
If more of us had his spirit, energy and decency the world would be better for it.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mike Dudley
Michael Foot - the man who made Margaret Thatcher necessary...
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by tonym
Very sad. His left wing views made him the target of a truly vitriolic hate campaign by the Tory press, so he must have done something right!
One might disagree with his politics but he was a great parliamentarian and highly respected by all the political parties.
A kind, gentle man. Shame there's not more of them around these days.
One might disagree with his politics but he was a great parliamentarian and highly respected by all the political parties.
A kind, gentle man. Shame there's not more of them around these days.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Guido Fawkes
I agree with David and Jamie and the other sensible posters - Michael Foot was a decent honest politician and a man who wanted to give people a better life - RIP
==============================
Mick - are you on some medication or just going a bit daft?
No offence, but you have been posting a lot of drivel recently and I think a lot of forum members are a bit worried about you.
==============================
Mick - are you on some medication or just going a bit daft?
No offence, but you have been posting a lot of drivel recently and I think a lot of forum members are a bit worried about you.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Steeve
quote:Originally posted by Mick Parry:
The sooner we are rid of his lot, the better.
Regards
Mick
New Labour have already done that for you, Mick. I can't help feeling sickened by the fawning by Gordon Brown and even primary witch-hunter Kinnock for someone who would not get very far in today's Labour party.
quote:Originally posted by Mick Parry:
He will go down in history as the old fool who provided the least effective opposition to Maggie.
If you dislike Maggie, you should dislike Foot for giving her such an easy time.
True to a point; he wasn't anywhere near as ruthless as Thatcher in fighting for his class. However, I will always remember him fondly and I can't think of anyone in the current Labour party who is fit to lick his shoes.
Steeve
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by JWM
I was brought up in a very true blue true blue household in a true blue environment. I am thankful to Michael Foot (and Tony Benn) for teaching me not just to take the easy option and run with the herd.
He was also a tremendous and erudite academic writer. His introduction to the Penguin Edition of Gulliver's Travels, for example, is superb.
He was also a tremendous and erudite academic writer. His introduction to the Penguin Edition of Gulliver's Travels, for example, is superb.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Kevin-W
quote:Originally posted by ROTF:
I agree with David and Jamie and the other sensible posters - Michael Foot was a decent honest politician and a man who wanted to give people a better life - RIP
==============================
Mick - are you on some medication or just going a bit daft?
No offence, but you have been posting a lot of drivel recently and I think a lot of forum members are a bit worried about you.
ROTF
I have been on this forum for eight years and Mick has always posted drivel. The odd sensible point or thread (his recent one on pensions is a good example) is, sadly, the exception rather than the rule. I often whether he just posts to wind everyone up - I'm not sure he actually believes the guff he writes.
I'm sure he will flounce off again in a huff soonish and leave us in peace for a few weeks.
Foot was a good, decent man who contributed a great deal to the intellectual life of this country - which is more than you can say for Mick's mate Thatch, who sold off most of our assets, bequeathed us an economic and cultural "legacy" which will take decades to clean up, and had tea with a proven mass-murderer. And then had the gall to lecture (she was always fond of a lecture, the patronising old bat) us all about how he was "a great friend" of this country.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Kevin-W
quote:Originally posted by Mike Dudley:
Michael Foot - the man who made Margaret Thatcher necessary...
Margaret Thatcher - the woman who made Dennis Skinner necessary.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by hungryhalibut
quote:Very sad. His left wing views made him the target of a truly vitriolic hate campaign by the Tory press, so he must have done something right!
One might disagree with his politics but he was a great parliamentarian and highly respected by all the political parties.
Very nicely put. He always seemed a good man, with a genuine concern for others, unlike a lot of politicians these days.
Nigel
A kind, gentle man. Shame there's not more of them around these days.
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mick P
Chaps
Many moons ago I used to lunch regularly at Rules in London and Roy Hattersly often sat at the next table. Over the years we recognised each other and often chatted about this and that. He knew that I was a Thatcherite but he often told me that Michael Foots biggest problem was his lack of leadership skills. He couldn't chair meetings, he couldn't run the party and there is no way on earth he could have run the nation.
Hattersly blamed Foot for Maggies success. She was lucky in having poor political opponents during her career. Foot was a gift from God as far as Maggie was concerned.
Regards
Mick
Many moons ago I used to lunch regularly at Rules in London and Roy Hattersly often sat at the next table. Over the years we recognised each other and often chatted about this and that. He knew that I was a Thatcherite but he often told me that Michael Foots biggest problem was his lack of leadership skills. He couldn't chair meetings, he couldn't run the party and there is no way on earth he could have run the nation.
Hattersly blamed Foot for Maggies success. She was lucky in having poor political opponents during her career. Foot was a gift from God as far as Maggie was concerned.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mick P
Munch
When I snuff it, feel free to slag me off.
Honesty is always better than hypocracy.
Regards
Mick
When I snuff it, feel free to slag me off.
Honesty is always better than hypocracy.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by BigH47
quote:Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Munch
When I snuff it, feel free to slag me off.
Honesty is always better than hypocracy.
Regards
Mick
Why wait ?
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Mick P
BigH47
You can do my obituary.
Love
Mick
You can do my obituary.
Love
Mick
Posted on: 03 March 2010 by Guido Fawkes
quote:Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Chaps
Many moons ago I used to lunch regularly at Rules in London and Roy Hattersly often sat at the next table.
Regards
Mick
Mick
Did you have the County Antrim Grass Fed Beef, Matured for 28 Days with Chips & Bearnaise Sauce? Personally, I'd recommend the Roasted Squab Pigeon with Artichoke, Braised Onions & Pearl Barley followed by the Chocolate Souffle with Pistachio Ice Cream.
Are leadership skills such a great thing? Adolf Hitler had more than most, but he wasn't a nice guy. And think of all those assertiveness courses we send people on and now we have a group of incompetents who not only get it wrong but ensure others do too.
Me I'd take a genuine person over an assertive leader any day. I agree with you Thatcher was assertive that was one of many things wrong with her (she didn't really have any good qualities IIRC) - she got a lot of people to do the wrong thing and that is one reason why we are in the mess we are in today as you post eloquently about on another thread. Didn't she eat in Rules with her cabinet and order raw steak and when asked what about the vegetables, say "They'll have the same".
Meanwhile Michael Foot was out campaigning for a better world for us. Shame there wasn't a few more like him.
ATB Rotf