Champagne socialist is a pejorative political term originating in the United Kingdom.[1][2] The phrase is used to describe self-identified socialists whose comfortable upper middle class lifestyles are perceived to be incompatible with their professed political convictions. The term is used by opposing politicians to portray and ridicule their opponents as hypocritical.[3][4]
That quote doesn't say champaign socialist is the same as hypocrite.
I don't see why someone with a good standard of living can't beleive in socialist principles.
Only the right wing try to make out that it is a bad thing for anyone other than the poorest to be socialist.
I admired her when she fought to become the first black woman M.P. I thought it was a sign of progress. (Not that I ever shared her political views)
I used to admire Diane Abbott for that same reason, but in recent years she has come across as a terrible old bigot.
The comments about "two posh white boys", "West Indian mothers will go to the wall for their children" and "white people love to play divide and rule, we shouldn't play their game" etc have a real nasty edge to them.
If she'd been white and said even half the things she comes out with, she'd have been history long ago.
Mind you, I'm surprised Ed didn't want her inside the tent p!ssing out rather than outside the tent and p!ssing in.
Dianne comes from a socialist tradition that promoted comprehensive education, yet when it came down to it she sent her own child to a private school. My parents could not have afforded to send me to a private school. I went to the local comprehensive and had a terrible five years.
People say why shouldn't socialists drink champagne, well they shouldn't if their policies deny it to everyone else.
Precisely. It's indefensible.
The ultimate socialists dichotomy - we're all equal but some are more equal than others, particularly if they've got money.
I don't suppose they'll be any unemployment for her. She'll probaly remain a backbencher on her £66K plus a year tax payer funded lifestyle.
I see Chris Bryant is no longer shadow immigration minister. Guess it makes no difference now that he blocked me on Twitter, as I would have un-followed him today anyway.
I see Chris Bryant is no longer shadow immigration minister. Guess it makes no difference now that he blocked me on Twitter, as I would have un-followed him today anyway.
Oh right, that's odd, has he been promoted, or just got rid of? This shadow re-shuffle is taking a long time!
It shouldn't be, but having a face like a smacked arse will never exactly help will it ?
Well, it does seem that both Labour and the Conservatives are promoting some of their more photogenic members. Maybe it's a sign of the modern media age that how someone looks and performs in front of the camera is a consideration.
For many, the question was: what on earth were Messrs Cameron and Miliband thinking in propelling breakfast TV stars to the higher echelons of power? But, as a breed, these are people who are used to working long hours, can communicate to ordinary people and are hardened to personal abuse
For some I would guess it would be even better news if
Abbot was sacked as an MP. But if Parliament follows form she will no doubt re-appear in some form of a parliamentary or party promotion - or be in line for membership of the Lords
I see Chris Bryant is no longer shadow immigration minister. Guess it makes no difference now that he blocked me on Twitter, as I would have un-followed him today anyway.
I also see that Jack Dromey (Mr Harriet Harman) becomes the Shadow Police Minister. Another promotion to keep Uncle Len happy.
I admired her when she fought to become the first black woman M.P. I thought it was a sign of progress. (Not that I ever shared her political views)
"fought"?
She was parachuted into a safe labour seat, where the previous white male MP wasn't ready to retire but had no choice.
I lived in Hackney at the time and it was quite controversial, not because she was black, but because Ernie Roberts was a well respected MP and was poorly treated.
The ultimate socialists dichotomy - we're all equal but some are more equal than others, particularly if they've got money.
I don't suppose they'll be any unemployment for her. She'll probaly remain a backbencher on her £66K plus a year tax payer funded lifestyle.
Like every other popularly elected member of parliament?
The way I see the whole public school issue; I don't think it's automatically hypocritical to want comprehensives to be better but to send your kids to private school. It's only hypocritical if you state that people shouldn't send their kids public or actually inact policies that make it harder to do so. Actually I believe that the socialist thing to do is avoid public services if you can afford to so that there is more money for everyone else.
Also, regarding the 'champagne socialist' taunt. I've always took that to mean a 'socialist' who isn't in touch with the realities of working class life rather than someone who is just rich. I wouldn't necessarily call Alan Sugar or Alex Ferguson champagne socialist despite being rich labour supporters.
Oh right, that's odd, has he been promoted, or just got rid of? This shadow re-shuffle is taking a long time!
He's shadowing IDS's department work and pensions now. I don't know what his job is. I suppose Home Office to DWP might be seen as a demotion. He did have a slightly iffy announcement back in August.
Immigration to Labour, is what the NHS is to the Conservatives an issue they wish to neutralise and not be vulnerable to accusations of not being safe in their hands.
The new guy is David Hanson MP. Anyone know anything about him, is he right, left Blairite, safe pair of hands like Alistair Darling etc?
She was parachuted into a safe labour seat, where the previous white male MP wasn't ready to retire but had no choice.
I lived in Hackney at the time and it was quite controversial, not because she was black, but because Ernie Roberts was a well respected MP and was poorly treated.
Thanks for that reminder. I wasn't aware that she edged someone out in this manner.
Comments
Silly - that's like confusing lib dem coalitionists with blackmailing b*******.
That quote doesn't say champaign socialist is the same as hypocrite.
I don't see why someone with a good standard of living can't beleive in socialist principles.
Only the right wing try to make out that it is a bad thing for anyone other than the poorest to be socialist.
I used to admire Diane Abbott for that same reason, but in recent years she has come across as a terrible old bigot.
The comments about "two posh white boys", "West Indian mothers will go to the wall for their children" and "white people love to play divide and rule, we shouldn't play their game" etc have a real nasty edge to them.
If she'd been white and said even half the things she comes out with, she'd have been history long ago.
Mind you, I'm surprised Ed didn't want her inside the tent p!ssing out rather than outside the tent and p!ssing in.
She was all against private schools until her turn came to choose her son's school, that's how I will remember her.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3229453.stm
Precisely. It's indefensible.
The ultimate socialists dichotomy - we're all equal but some are more equal than others, particularly if they've got money.
I don't suppose they'll be any unemployment for her. She'll probaly remain a backbencher on her £66K plus a year tax payer funded lifestyle.
And an enormous index linked pension.
Sounds like the politics of envy to me.
Ed promoting the pretty faces.
Do you seriously think appearance is the prime consideration?
It shouldn't be, but having a face like a smacked arse will never exactly help will it ?
It worked for Osborne
Politics aside, Osborne is an ok looking bloke.
Oh right, that's odd, has he been promoted, or just got rid of? This shadow re-shuffle is taking a long time!
Then there must be something wrong with your hearing.:rolleyes:
Well, it does seem that both Labour and the Conservatives are promoting some of their more photogenic members. Maybe it's a sign of the modern media age that how someone looks and performs in front of the camera is a consideration.
It now seems that the fastest way to become a minister isn't working in the party's research department but by being a former TV presenter: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10364365/Esther-McVey-A-short-step-from-breakfast-sofa-to-front-bench.html
.
Abbot was sacked as an MP. But if Parliament follows form she will no doubt re-appear in some form of a parliamentary or party promotion - or be in line for membership of the Lords
I also see that Jack Dromey (Mr Harriet Harman) becomes the Shadow Police Minister. Another promotion to keep Uncle Len happy.
"fought"?
She was parachuted into a safe labour seat, where the previous white male MP wasn't ready to retire but had no choice.
I lived in Hackney at the time and it was quite controversial, not because she was black, but because Ernie Roberts was a well respected MP and was poorly treated.
Like every other popularly elected member of parliament?
The way I see the whole public school issue; I don't think it's automatically hypocritical to want comprehensives to be better but to send your kids to private school. It's only hypocritical if you state that people shouldn't send their kids public or actually inact policies that make it harder to do so. Actually I believe that the socialist thing to do is avoid public services if you can afford to so that there is more money for everyone else.
Also, regarding the 'champagne socialist' taunt. I've always took that to mean a 'socialist' who isn't in touch with the realities of working class life rather than someone who is just rich. I wouldn't necessarily call Alan Sugar or Alex Ferguson champagne socialist despite being rich labour supporters.
No, I thought the same.
He's shadowing IDS's department work and pensions now. I don't know what his job is. I suppose Home Office to DWP might be seen as a demotion. He did have a slightly iffy announcement back in August.
Immigration to Labour, is what the NHS is to the Conservatives an issue they wish to neutralise and not be vulnerable to accusations of not being safe in their hands.
The new guy is David Hanson MP. Anyone know anything about him, is he right, left Blairite, safe pair of hands like Alistair Darling etc?
Should come in handy when there's a strike.
Thanks for that reminder. I wasn't aware that she edged someone out in this manner.
From wikipedia it looks like he used to manage the Plymouth Co-Op. He also went to a comprehensive. So seems relatively normal.