Tatchell wants to be Oxford MP

[Nigel Irritable]

In the last election from these seats for the UK parliament in 1918, the two "Dublin University" seats went to Unionists, while the single National University of Ireland seat went to Sinn Fein.

Yes. Having separate constituencies for each university essentially meant having different constituencies for Protestant graduates and for Catholic graduates. That was true in 1918. It was also true for most of the history of the Seanad. It's hardly surprising that the main nationalist party got the Catholic University seat in 1918 or that the Unionist Party got the two Protestant University seats.

The only point of political interest is that this system was carried over into DeValera's Constitution.

 

[Groucho]

What on earth does that mean?

Yeh, what a snobby prick. No wonder Tatchell won it. Everybody comes through Oxford? What?! You mean everybody who is anybody? The brains of Britain? Everyone who has not been 'educated' at Oxford is thick you mean?

Someone tell me I've misinterpreted and please provide the alternative explanation.

ETA Mind you I'm pleased to read that he wants to harmonise the harmony of the community. If the harmony is not harmonised even, well then there's little hope for the rest!

 

[Tom A]

I wonder what would have happened if university seats in the UK hadn't been abolished, I reckon that Lancaster would probably have a Green MP, and quite possibly Keele as well, the redbricks would probably be a slanging match between Labour, the Trots, and Greens NUS-style.

However, the concept was still highly elitist.

Anyway, Tatchell may have done some disagreeable things, however I admire him for reminding people that Iran is not a nice place for gays and that protesting against Iran being bombed shouldn't mean supporting the current regime, which is more than some "left of centre" people have done.

Also I would rather have him as my MP than Galloway.

 

[Matt S]

Groucho,

Actually, Matt M is the very opposite of a snob. He's a gardener who lives on a narrowboat, and he didn't go to Oxford University.

I *think* what he meant was that its important to get a Green message over in Oxford University because lots of its students go on to hold positions of power in society and the potential to exert influence. Which is true. However, I also think that his complete lack of experience with the media showed through in his statement, which enabled what he was saying to be interpreted in many different ways.

So, in short, don't go off on one, he's a decent, left-wing Green who has a great record of community activism and direct action politics. He's just not the slickest media operator.

Matt

 

[liampreston]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6587311.stm - for the BBC's take on the story

 

[greenman]

Great news that Peter has been selected.
Surely a candidate that the left of centre can unite to support against New Labour and New Tory and Neo-liberal dems.
Looking forward to our first Green MP - and who better than a radical campaigner with principles intact after all he has been through.
Good luck Peter

 

[dweller]

Groucho,

Actually, Matt M is the very opposite of a snob. He's a gardener who lives on a narrowboat, and he didn't go to Oxford University.

I *think* what he meant was that its important to get a Green message over in Oxford University because lots of its students go on to hold positions of power in society and the potential to exert influence. Which is true. However, I also think that his complete lack of experience with the media showed through in his statement, which enabled what he was saying to be interpreted in many different ways.

So, in short, don't go off on one, he's a decent, left-wing Green who has a great record of community activism and direct action politics. He's just not the slickest media operator.

Matt

Quite right.
It is a shame that a very decent local activist who cannot walk down the street in the part of Oxford he lives without being greeted by members of the public he has got to know gets passed over for the mediaman and Oxford outsider Tatch. Such is today's celebrity politics - infecting the greens too. Ah well....

 

[Fullyplumped]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6587311.stm - for the BBC's take on the story

He warned that he would not be "bossed around by the party whips" but be an "independent-minded" Green MP.​

I think that is quite funny.
.

 

[Fullyplumped]

Quite right.
It is a shame that a very decent local activist who cannot walk down the street in the part of Oxford he lives without being greeted by members of the public he has got to know gets passed over for the mediaman and Oxford outsider Tatch. Such is today's celebrity politics - infecting the greens too. Ah well....

Aw come on. There is a minimum level of articulacy and media savviness required for an MP, surely. You wouldn't let John Prescott off for talking mince, so why would you let a potential Green MP off?

I should say that I think highly of Andrew Smith and hope he keeps his seat at the next election, but I do think Peter Tatchell is a heroic character and that we need to have his voice heard in Parliament.

If we had a proper senate, as the upper house should become, that is where he ought to be.