Why are the majority of MPs seemingly a bit dim?
Why are the majority of MPs seemingly a bit dim?
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johnfm

Original Poster:

13,746 posts

274 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
Was watching the CLimate Change whitewash the other day. It seemed to me that Phil Jones was being 'grilled' (or very lightly par boiled, as it were) by MPs of average intellect who had no particular knowledge of the field.

What is the point of that?

If there aren't MPs capable of grasping the issue, why not draught in some people who are.

And why are MPs so average?

Is it the low pay? Is the effort required to get on the party list that clever people just cannot be bothered with?

I understand why Labour MPs are, on the whole, a bit retared - a trades union background isn't exactly an indicator of great thinking skill.

But even the blue and orange teams seem a bit light on intellect.

Can't we raise the bar a little?

b2hbm

1,301 posts

246 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
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because it's about the only profession job I can think of where you get over twice the national average wage without needing any academic qualifications, relevant experience or even having had to work in any capacity whatsoever before you get in. The only qualification I see is that you need to be able to convince people you can, even if you can't.

I accept that might be an overly harsh viewpoint but I'm sure most of them would benefit from 20yrs in private industry before being allowed out to play on their own.

Mclovin

1,679 posts

222 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
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theres over 600 of them, 80 percent of them are greedy nonjobbers its likely their not going to be playing with a full deck....

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

241 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
Almost all MP's toe the party line at all times, the stupidity is simply the result of the MP knowing what’s going on, but not having a handy excuse to call upon.

Having said that, we are all aware of the difference between intelligence and common sense, to get elected most MP's have some of the former and looking at the decisions of the labour/Nazi/Communist/Scum party, little of the latter

Bing o

15,184 posts

243 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
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Just look at any of RacingTwat009's posts for confirmation that most Mps and parliamentary candidates should be flipping burgers.

andy_s

19,816 posts

283 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
Because we're in a democracy, not a meritocracy.

johnfm

Original Poster:

13,746 posts

274 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
andy_s said:
Because we're in a democracy, not a meritocracy.
This is it. There is no qualification required to vote - just age. Therein lies the problem.

thinfourth2

32,414 posts

228 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
b2hbm said:
The only qualification I see is that you need to be able to convince people you can, even if you can't.
Oh boy are our MPs under qualified then

I'm not convinced they can wipe their own arse

sadoksevoli

1,232 posts

281 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
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They're quite an accurate reflection of the electorate that elects them in. Scary.

HarryW

15,836 posts

293 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
Because the primary qualification of any politician is to talk without saying anything.

I am saddened to see it's becoming a requisite for some directorships in large multinationals now too. I recall sitting down to a very high level meeting with a Dutch company and after our Procurement Director spouted 10 minutes of fluffy bks the Dutch counterpart said 'I have listened to words for 10 minutes but not have heard what you are saying'. oh how I laughed so loud on the inside hehe (If you know the Dutch they can be more germanic than the Germans, got to love their plain speaking)

HarryW

15,836 posts

293 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
Back on topic, I caught some of that on the parliament channel too and share your concern. The level of questioning showed not even the slightest understanding of the topic in hand. The inconsistent and evasive responses being proffered did not once elicit any challenge or response from the panel of half wit MP's. It would be funny if it wasn't such a serious subject............

Pesty

42,655 posts

280 months

Sunday 7th March 2010
quotequote all
Bing o said:
Just look at any of RacingTwat009's posts for confirmation that most Mps and parliamentary candidates should be flipping burgers.
What ever happened to that marmalade fetishist?