Michael Heseltine

[the other bob wilson]

If you have about half an hour to spare, this interview is well worth a listen. There aren’t many around like him now who can remember living through the Second World War and you can tell his philosophy through life was formed in the immediate aftermath of the war. I found him very persuasive when he talked about what was needed to be done after the conflict and I always go back to how the generation that lived through the war were the second biggest supporters of Remain in the Referendum after the younger generation.

I’d never vote for the party he represented in Parliament, but I think he’s an impressive man in many ways.

[Jordi Culé]

Re: Michael Heseltine

If you have about half an hour to spare, this interview is well worth a listen. There aren’t many around like him now who can remember living through the Second World War and you can tell his philosophy through life was formed in the immediate aftermath of the war. I found him very persuasive when he talked about what was needed to be done after the conflict and I always go back to how the generation that lived through the war were the second biggest supporters of Remain in the Referendum after the younger generation.

I’d never vote for the party he represented in Parliament, but I think he’s an impressive man in many ways.

I’ve always found Heseltine an interesting politician. He was considered one of the ‘wets’ and is very well thought of in Liverpool for his support for the city.

Fell out with Thatcher on numerous occasions, who then threw him under the bus over Westland and his recent observations about Boris are Johnson are correct.

Throw in Ken Clarke, John Major along with Heseltine who comment on today’s Tory party and politics generally as either Lords or knights and compare with what the UK will have in the future with Rees Mogsy and Priti Patel.

[TWGL1]

Re: Michael Heseltine

I’ve always found Heseltine an interesting politician. He was considered one of the ‘wets’ and is very well thought of in Liverpool for his support for the city.

Fell out with Thatcher on numerous occasions, who then threw him under the bus over Westland and his recent observations about Boris are Johnson are correct.

Throw in Ken Clarke, John Major along with Heseltine who comment on today’s Tory party and politics generally as either Lords or knights and compare with what the UK will have in the future with Rees Mogsy and Priti Patel.

I fully agree with your final paragraph, and the same could be said for Labour. Imagine having someone like Tony Ben on the labour front bench and what a difference he would make today compared to the current administration.

[Jordi Culé]

Re: Michael Heseltine

I fully agree with your final paragraph, and the same could be said for Labour. Imagine having someone like Tony Ben on the labour front bench and what a difference he would make today compared to the current administration.

100% with you on that. I'll throw Michael Foot into that category too.

Not so sure about Kinnock?

As for Blair...

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Michael Heseltine

I fully agree with your final paragraph, and the same could be said for Labour. Imagine having someone like Tony Ben on the labour front bench and what a difference he would make today compared to the current administration.

Tony Benn was a dinosaur like Corbyn

Talked a good game though

[Jordi Culé]

Re: Michael Heseltine

Tony Benn was a socialist like Corbyn

Talked a good game though

Fixed that for you.

[JamesWales]

Re: Michael Heseltine

I think anyone who doesn't have a passing interest in the opinions of politicians who lived through decades of parliament can't really claim to be people who have an interest in politics.

It's really important to listen to these people and their experiences whether you agree with them or don't.

That said, John Major is a right arse in my opinion, I'm rather tired of him being wheeled out and don't find him of any intellectual interest as opposed to people like Hesaltine or Tony Benn - I'd recommend his diaries to everyone

[Dorcus]

Re: Michael Heseltine

Tony Benn was a dinosaur like Corbyn

Talked a good game though

I'd hardly call Benn and Corbyn dinosaurs: visionaries more like.

[Dorcus]

Re: Michael Heseltine

I think anyone who doesn't have a passing interest in the opinions of politicians who lived through decades of parliament can't really claim to be people who have an interest in politics.

It's really important to listen to these people and their experiences whether you agree with them or don't.

That said, John Major is a right arse in my opinion, I'm rather tired of him being wheeled out and don't find him of any intellectual interest as opposed to people like Hesaltine or Tony Benn - I'd recommend his diaries to everyone

But of course he's not as much of an arse as Rees-Mogg and Braverman I'm sure you'd agree 👍

[JamesWales]

Re: Michael Heseltine

I'd hardly call Benn and Corbyn dinosaurs: visionaries more like.

Visionaries!

Benn, whom I admire greatly, was behind the times in the end. Very little visionary about Corbyn. He usually praises countries that end up being economic and social basketcases

[Dorcus]

Re: Michael Heseltine

I’ve always found Heseltine an interesting politician. He was considered one of the ‘wets’ and is very well thought of in Liverpool for his support for the city.

Fell out with Thatcher on numerous occasions, who then threw him under the bus over Westland and his recent observations about Boris are Johnson are correct.

Throw in Ken Clarke, John Major along with Heseltine who comment on today’s Tory party and politics generally as either Lords or knights and compare with what the UK will have in the future with Rees Mogsy and Priti Patel.

Heseltine, Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve, David Gauke et al. Some of the sensible clutch of Tories. Unfortunately the Brexit crusade allowed the Tory party to go full on loony.

[Dorcus]

Re: Michael Heseltine

Visionaries!

Benn, whom I admire greatly, was behind the times in the end. Very little visionary about Corbyn. He usually praises countries that end up being economic and social basketcases

Short sightedness on your part. He had a vision to fix the economic problems. Yes a true visionary in my opinion. Only rabid Tory leaners like yourself would dislike him.

[JamesWales]

Re: Michael Heseltine

Heseltine, Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve, David Gauke et al. Some of the sensible clutch of Tories. Unfortunately the Brexit crusade allowed the Tory party to go full on loony.

All absolute posh boys who wanted to override what people voted for. Bizarre that you find them the sensible ones

[JamesWales]

Re: Michael Heseltine

Short sightedness on your part. He had a vision to fix the economic problems. Yes a true visionary in my opinion. Only rabid Tory leaners like yourself would dislike him.

I'm sure he had a vision. I doubt it would have worked, and that's the issue

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Michael Heseltine

Fixed that for you.

He talked about a political and economic style that the people of Britain will never vote for .......they may be stupid for not considering it ......but that's the way it is

Benn , Corbyn , Skinner were great speakers but that's all

The best we can hope for is a left of centrist or middle road government

In 2023 that's going to be a centrist or centrist liberal one

I would vote for a left wing party if it had a chance of government but its never going to happen

Benn , Nellist , Corbyn , Skinner ......no more than a good speech at a conference