An international taste of political scandal

[Axismaster]

Does anyone here watch British Parliament? Because if you do, you will know that one familiar figure is Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy. Well, next season on the show is sure to be a real shake-up, as he has resigned his leadership capacity (just like a famous politician over here) due to a bit of scandal. Of course, the scandal is simply that he was in a treatment program for alcoholism. I myself think that this is kind of a private matter, unlike Tom Delay's junk. What do you think, should a political leader in Britain, America, or anywhere else step down because of a personal infraction that does not affect the people?

 

[GarzaUK]

Does anyone here watch British Parliament? Because if you do, you will know that one familiar figure is Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy. Well, next season on the show is sure to be a real shake-up, as he has resigned his leadership capacity (just like a famous politician over here) due to a bit of scandal. Of course, the scandal is simply that he was in a treatment program for alcoholism. I myself think that this is kind of a private matter, unlike Tom Delay's junk. What do you think, should a political leader in Britain, America, or anywhere else step down because of a personal infraction that does not affect the people?

It didn't affect the people, but it might affect his ability to lead his party. Most people have sympathy for Kennedy's problem. It did try to keep it private for a long time tho.

 

[Kandahar]

If it truly didn't affect the people, then it shouldn't matter. However, I don't know much about this case. Often times, alcoholism DOES affect one's ability to carry out one's responsibilities.

 

[GarzaUK]

If it truly didn't affect the people, then it shouldn't matter. However, I don't know much about this case. Often times, alcoholism DOES affect one's ability to carry out one's responsibilities.

Clinton getting a bj didn't affect people either except Hillary and Chelsea, but people certainly got riled about it lol.

 

[Plain old me]

I don't think his alchohol problem was the main reason for resigning...it was the fact half his MP's refused to work with him. But when you spend the better half of you're leadership saying how you DON'T have a rpoblem, and then announce you do....its a bit tricksy.

So howzabout it...now his 'problem' has come to light, was that the reason he missed the Budget? He wasn't on top form at the conference? and why he famously mucked up that manifesto discussion during the election?

 

[GarzaUK]

So howzabout it...now his 'problem' has come to light, was that the reason he missed the Budget? He wasn't on top form at the conference? and why he famously mucked up that manifesto discussion during the election?

Apprantly so. Well the sun seems to thinks so :roll: lol, but they mock everything the Lib Dems do. God I hate that paper, goods sports sections tho.

More importantly how will this affect the Lib Dems? I don't think Kennedy would have got them into opposition to be honest. Do you think the Lib Dems can replace Labour? Tell me Plain, your the politics student.

 

[Axismaster]

I have little knowledge of the UK, but I would hope Labour would be replaced. Do you Englishmen know how good Conservative's prospects are?

 

[Plain old me]

Apprantly so. Well the sun seems to thinks so :roll: lol, but they mock everything the Lib Dems do. God I hate that paper, goods sports sections tho.

More importantly how will this affect the Lib Dems? I don't think Kennedy would have got them into opposition to be honest. Do you think the Lib Dems can replace Labour? Tell me Plain, your the politics student.

lol. Okay, I'll play, my humble politics student opinion is that it'll ruin the Lib Dems image of being the 'clean party'. Whatisface, Mark Oaten, their Home Affairs guy said it the other day....how can they criticise Labour and the Tories for their scandal and infighting when now even the holier-then-thou lib dems have succombed.
(Does my slight resentment of the whole Lib Dem attitude come out here?)

They like to think big, my local lib dem candidate had them pegged at 80 to 100 seats in 2005. Fat Chance. I'm afraid I think they'll be stuck in third party status for a long time. Now the tories have their leader, and Labour will soon be getting Brown, the Lib Dems have lost their chance to play the leadership card.

 

[Plain old me]

I have little knowledge of the UK, but I would hope Labour would be replaced. Do you Englishmen know how good Conservative's prospects are?

Its a little early, but things are looking up for them now they have a younger more moderate leader.

 

[Axismaster]

Its a little early, but things are looking up for them now they have a younger more moderate leader.

Looking across the pond I usually root for Conservatives because I have no taste for the socialism of Labour.

 

[Plain old me]

Looking across the pond I usually root for Conservatives because I have no taste for the socialism of Labour.

I'm afraid its been a while since Labour could be described as socialist...we're in the era of 'New Labour' now. A time where Labour and Conservatives can scarcly be told apart.

 

[SixStringHero]

I'm highly ignorant when it comes to international ideologies so what exactly is the Conservative and Liberal belief structure in the UK?

I remember hearing once that in Canada the Liberal ideology is the antithesis of the Liberal ideology here in the states and the same goes for the conservative ideology as well. Does your the belief structure mirror that in any way?

 

[GarzaUK]

I'm highly ignorant when it comes to international ideologies so what exactly is the Conservative and Liberal belief structure in the UK?

I remember hearing once that in Canada the Liberal ideology is the antithesis of the Liberal ideology here in the states and the same goes for the conservative ideology as well. Does your the belief structure mirror that in any way?

British conservatism is equal to the Democrats in the US.
The Lib Dems are broke into two parts, the social liberals (socialist centrals) and the economic liberals (a bit more right wing, tough of crime, individual freedoms).
The Labour Party is traditional socialist, but under Blair it has been a slightly right of centre.

The current Conservative stance is:
Supportive of Gay civil partnerships
Environment friendly
anti-death pelanty
believes in free healthcare
supports the freedom of choice in abortion

You can see how the UK and US differs.

 

[Scarecrow Akhbar]

So a Kennedy resigned his leadership position because of an alcohol problem....in the US a Kennedy took his nephew out and they both got hammered and one of them was accused of raping a woman that night. Our Kennedys don't have the integrity to resign.

For those of you with the common mis-conception: Clinton committed perjury, that's why he was impeached, it wasn't the bj from the fat chick that got people upset. And the perjury is important because that lie was about evidence materially relevant to Paula Jones's civic suit for his sexual assault. Not to mention that Clinton's bj violated the federal sexual harassment bill he himself signed into law.

But I'm not sure how it can be scandalous for a man to admit he has a problem and to surrender voluntarily posts of authority that his problem may be interfering with. I'd think people would be applauding the man. I do.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

Looking across the pond I usually root for Conservatives because I have no taste for the socialism of Labour.

Their Conservatives are more liberal than our Democrats.