Politics of P&O cruisers

[davecttr]

On a recent cruise they were doing lunchtime debates on sea days. I did not attend any except the last one by accident as i had an idle moment. The subject was "should we have a referendum on leaving the EU before the next election".

The entertainment man started by asking for a show of hands from those who think the UK should leave the EU. Everybody stuck their hand up...except me!!!

Then he asked should we stay in the EU. I though about it for a couple of seconds and then, what the hell, I'm bored, I stuck my hand up. Only outnumbered about 40 to one so should be an even contest.

There was a lot of underlying anger there and also a lot of misconceptions plus valid points as well. At one point I thought someone was going to hit me but we had an animated chat and it ended up OK.

The question is. are P&O passengers representative of the country as a whole or are they a bunch of right wingers or a bunch of right whingers!

[Quizzical Bob]

These figures are very worrying. It shows that a lot of people just don't understand the situation.

I think that politics should be kept completely separate from cruises anyway.

[Onelife]

Hi davcttr

No I don’t think P&O passengers are representative of the country as a whole but I do think they are more likely to have a more informed opinion about such things as the EU. That being said the 40 to one show of hands goes someway into disproving that theory. My personal belief is that voting on such matters should be left to those who know what the consequences would be should we leave the EU because I sure as hell don’t know.

Regards

Keith

[Ray Scully]

Hi davcttr

. My personal belief is that voting on such matters should be left to those who know what the consequences would be should we leave the EU because I sure as hell don’t know.

Regards

Keith

Can't agree more, however vested interest that may not necessarily represent my best interests, will be influencing the decision makers.

Ray

[Ray Scully]

The question is. are P&O passengers representative of the country as a whole or are they a bunch of right wingers or a bunch of right whingers!

Not at all, there are too many pseudo toffs on P&O. Bring back first class and steerage I say. Then real people of substance would not have to mix with the hoi polloi with their ill considered reactionary dissenting views.

Ray

[barney]

As a very active Freemason, we are forbidden to discuss politics or religion in our Lodge

I apply this to my life in general

I have opinions in such matters but only discuss them with my nearest & dearest

It could be very, very easy to fall out with folk.

I would also add that in my experience, the people who have the most to say, are often the people with the least knowledge

[Ray Scully]

Well Barney

You are a cautious person

Ray

[barney]

As I was taught ,Ray

[Ray Scully]

Me too

Secretary of Lodge No. 8719.

Ray

[barney]

No. 6069 in Maidstone

S&F

[Kendhni]

My personal belief is that voting on such matters should be left to those who know what the consequences would be should we leave the EU because I sure as hell don’t know.

Agree totally, Onelife.
There is so much spin and misinformation about the EU it is virtually impossible for the layman to understand what is going on. That is why I would be against a referendum, it has to be up to our political leaders (of whatever flavour) and the business community ... not what a population that is, in the most part, ignorant of the benefits/issues.

[Frank Manning]

I dont have definite political views; I am a "pale blue pinko". I always vote, and I vote for the party with the most realistic over all manifesto, in the hope that my poor country will get itself back on track one day.

As for the EU, I am for staying in and getting stuck in, instead of sitting on the margins whingeing about it.

[sumdumbloke]

My personal belief is that voting on such matters should be left to those who know what the consequences would be should we leave the EU because I sure as hell don’t know.

Agree totally, Onelife.
There is so much spin and misinformation about the EU it is virtually impossible for the layman to understand what is going on. That is why I would be against a referendum, it has to be up to our political leaders (of whatever flavour) and the business community ... not what a population that is, in the most part, ignorant of the benefits/issues.

I think any system that leaves the voting to others is a bad thing, but I share the general view that people should be informed about the subject they're voting about.

Trouble is there's so much vested interest; whether it's the Eu-hating Murdoch press or the gravy-train riders of the Euro Parliament, a balanced view is hard to come by.

I think on that basis I share the view that a referendum is a bad idea. Choose a government, and let them manage the detail.

[Gill W]

If a referendum about the EU is a bad thing, are ALL referendums a bad thing, such as the proposed
Scottish one?

[Frank Manning]

If a referendum about the EU is a bad thing, are ALL referendums a bad thing, such as the proposed
Scottish one?

No, I think the Scots should be allowed their say. I hope they vote to stay in the UK because I have such happy memories of my time working with them, and I think it diminishes both of us if they go. But they should have the choice, and then live with it.

[sumdumbloke]

If a referendum about the EU is a bad thing, are ALL referendums a bad thing, such as the proposed
Scottish one?

I think referenda can be valuable for some things, and Scottish independence may be one, but they have a big flaw. To work they have to have very simple questions, and generally complex subjects aren't capable of being reduced to such simple binary terms.

I think for very complex issues it's better that political parties stake a position, with all the detail being explored/aired/debated, and then we vote for a party whose manifesto most closely matches our wishes.

[Kendhni]

If a referendum about the EU is a bad thing, are ALL referendums a bad thing, such as the proposed
Scottish one?

I would say it is not a bad thing if the electorate make an effort to inform themselves and look at both sides of the argument with an open and logical mind ... The worst voter in such referendums s one who votes purely on emotional or tribal lines.

Like someone else said, i would like to see the UK remaining united ... I think that makes it stronger, i believe separation will make all parts weaker. However i am wondering if this may be more about devolving more powers rather than full autonomy.

[Manoverboard]

If a referendum about the EU is a bad thing, are ALL referendums a bad thing, such as the proposed
Scottish one?

I think referenda can be valuable for some things, and Scottish independence may be one, but they have a big flaw. To work they have to have very simple questions, and generally complex subjects aren't capable of being reduced to such simple binary terms.

I think for very complex issues it's better that political parties stake a position, with all the detail being explored/aired/debated, and then we vote for a party whose manifesto most closely matches our wishes.

Now ... this is, or could be, one prime example of our collective inability to vote with knowledge. : fingers crossed :

The Scottish people will vote for freedom but how many of them will know that the Scottish Islands will lay claim to the oil that they thought was rightfully theirs ?

I agree, the politicos are paid to deal with such matters and it is their time to earn their money.

[Quizzical Bob]

If the Scots are having a vote then I want one too

[Capt Black]

Political debates as a form of entertainment? I suppose there have been worse forms of entertainment at sea: cat o nine tails, keelhauling,walking the plank etc.

[Kendhni]

The Scottish people will vote for freedom but how many of them will know that the Scottish Islands will lay claim to the oil that they thought was rightfully theirs ?

I read an article recently from political leaders on Shetland that said that if Salmond thinks he is going to get his hands on all the oil revenue by simply winning a referendum then he has another think coming.

[Not so ancient mariner]

Keelhauling would certainly inflict (a) hardship upon the victims!

[Not so ancient mariner]

I read an article recently from political leaders on Shetland that said that if Salmond thinks he is going to get his hands on all the oil revenue by simply winning a referendum then he has another think coming.

For some reason Alex Salmond always reminds me of Shrek!

[Kendhni]

For some reason Alex Salmond always reminds me of Shrek!

Are we talking sound, look or smell here