[Closed] The fine and delicate art of political protest

[i]“The only thing green about Peter Mandelson is the slime coursing through his veins.” [/i]

This is an excellent line, and spattering someone with green custard, while fairly to be described as "adolescent" is rather splendid.

But, as ever, the sheer aplomb with which Mandelson appears to have handled the incident is remarkable. I can never quite manage to really loathe him, he is just [i]so[/i] much better at being a politician than pretty much anyone else in the government.

🙂

Ok so it's just harmless custard, but there was an incident a few days ago, where a man was left blind after having acid thrown in his face.

As odious as politicians are, I don't think acts like this should be tolerated, really. Very childish. Should have nicked her, massive fine and/or jail, and deter others from doing it. There are enough nut jobs who might think that it's a good way to seriously harm someone.

Good job she din't choose Prezza...

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There is a proud tradition of "Illegal" protest in Europe and the US. It has been responsible for significant improvements in workers terms and conditions.

Their is a difference between "illegal" and "wrong"

I like the use of green custard at a reducing carbon conference but this bit made me smile

The Business Secretary had just emerged from his chauffeur-driven Jaguar outside a low-carbon summit in Central London when the woman approached carrying a plastic cup.

[i]I can never quite manage to really loathe him, he is just so much better at being a politician than pretty much anyone else in the government.[/i]

That's precisely why I loathe him so much; he's an unprincipled politician and as smarmy as they come.

Sooo good at it though Moses! He knocks spots off Brown, Darling, the Harperson and such horrors as Hoon, Beckett or Straw. None of them are "principled" and they're also angry, sullen, confrontational people who's grasp of their brief is so limited they answer any question with the same repetitive clart that they've memorised in the hope that someone remembers something they've said.

I disagree with Mandelson the considerable bulk of the time, but he deserves some credit for speaking about things as though the people listening are not idiots. 🙂

But, as ever, the sheer aplomb with which Mandelson appears to have handled the incident is remarkable. I can never quite manage to really loathe him, he is just so much better at being a politician than pretty much anyone else in the government.

I think i see what you are getting at.

Point though, what on earth is a member of the public being able to get that close to a member of the cabinet? Pity the self righteous trout who did it didn't get arrested,that would have made good tv.

The day we can't manage to throw eggs, flour or even custard at politicians as a protest will be a sad day IMO

i thought any type of protest in the UK was now illegal and punishable by death

The day we can't manage to throw eggs, flour or even custard at politicians as a protest will be a sad day IMO

My sentiments exactly.

As odious as politicians are, I don't think acts like this should be tolerated, really. Very childish. Should have nicked her, massive fine and/or jail, and deter others from doing it. There are enough nut jobs who might think that it's a good way to seriously harm someone.

new job at the daily mail RB?

I recall a story about Peter Tatchell hurling himself onto the bonnet of someone's car, I can't remember who's, possibly Blair's. Policemen go apeshit and guns are drawn. Blair (or whoever) says "don't shoot him chaps, it's just Tatchell".

Trouble is, if people can throw custard they can also throw other things, and the result is more and more security and more and more distance and paranoid isolation. Fathers4Justice throwing purple flour in the commons has meant a screen in front of the piublic gallery and far more searches at the entrance. Query whether it's worth it in the long run.

Not at all; imagine it had been acid or something really nasty?

Imagine it were you; would you not feel a little concerned that some evil person might want to throw acid in your face?

I sold a bike to Peter Tatchell once. He's not a very nice person, I don't think. He was quite rude to me. Very arrogant, I thought.

Not at all; imagine it had been acid or something really nasty?

Imagine it were you; would you not feel a little concerned that some evil person might want to throw acid in your face?

It would certainly be worrying if they couldnt tell the difference between Custard and acid.

I dont think people who throw custard encourage people who throw acid!

It's not about encouragement though, it's about demonstrating possibility. Some guy with responsibility for Mandelson's security is probably spending a happy morning thinking abou armoured limousines, helicopter cover and snipers, with the result that the next person who just wants to shout at him will presumably get sat on instantly by some big policemen. 🙂

Not at all; imagine it had been acid or something really nasty?

Imagine it were you; would you not feel a little concerned that some evil person might want to throw acid in your face?

no - it was custard, not acid.

if, as a politician, I was at all worried about having acid thrown in my face by some random nutnut then i would either:

a: have my security team escort me into the building
b: go in through a different entrance
c: panic, and stay at home.

it was custard

now personally i would have used cold gravy but hey...

It's not about encouragement though, it's about demonstrating possibility. Some guy with responsibility for Mandelson's security is probably spending a happy morning thinking abou armoured limousines, helicopter cover and snipers, with the result that the next person who just wants to shout at him will presumably get sat on instantly by some big policemen. [:-)]

This person probably got sat on by some big policemen albeit after the event.
My point is we shouldnt get too worked up about this. Anybody with aspirations to throw acid in the face of a policition will not be reading the BBC website to look for "possibility" I suspect they will have done more homework.

A healthy dose of public humiliation never does the political class any harm IMO.

Talk of acid and such as if they've never been in danger of random nut-jobs before misses the whole point.

It don't matter what it was, I was talking about the potential.

And incidents like this make security staff even more jumpy.

There's plenty of sick ****s out there, who might try something like this, but use something nasty.

Pity the self righteous trout who did it didn't get arrested,that would have made good tv.

Self righteous trout !! Marvelous. 😆

who just wants to shout at him will presumably get sat on instantly by some big policemen.

Or followed into a tube station and assasinated by trigger happy babylonians?

I fail to see why politicians consider that they are so valuable as to warrnt the sort of one way protection not afforded to me, or him or her. After all, if one snuffs it or otherwise loses his job, then there are a host of people ready to take his place.

Mandelson is a very good example well versed in the art of being a politician. But, like so many, his purpose for being a politician is that in itself: power and patronage. There is no concept of serving for so many of them and, as I hear more often party spokesmen referring to what their party will do when "in power", I realise that there has been a significant power shift away from a relative high point in democracy, which took place at some point in the mid 20th century.

ok, all credibility lost by comparing her actions to those of the suffragettes and the miners....

[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7927971.stm ]Self righteous climate change custard cobber[/url]

Politicians need protection because they are the focal point of protest, how many of us are getting the blame for sending troops to Iraq? Mind you, throwing custard, that'll make the Government think twice about building another runway. I take back my arrested remark, better still; what if she had thrown a sickie from work? Sacked and unable to buy fair trade anymore, oh the humiliation!

who just wants to shout at him will presumably get sat on instantly by some big policemen.

Or followed into a tube station and assasinated by trigger happy babylonians?

No overreaction there then!

I've just watched and she actually just walks away. She was interviewed later so maybe the covert shooting is to take place later.

Probably not the first time Mandy's had to wipe a sticky mess off his face though.

Thanks for that, andywhit.

We really din't need that, though.

Surely putting yourself in "the line of fire" is part of putting yourself forward to serve and better the lot of your fellow Britons.

Or is that not why they go for jobs in politics these days?

*Makes a mental note to keep an eye on what else is tucked away in the lower level news today.......*

He knocks spots off Brown, Darling, the Harperson and such horrors as Hoon, Beckett or Straw. None of them are "principled" and they're also angry, sullen, confrontational people

You're having a laugh mate.

Geoff Hoon angry ? The mush is as happy as a baby blowing bubbles - in fact that's [i]exactly[/i] what he reminds me of.

As you say though, none of them are "principled" (well except for Brown - unlike the others, I'm sure that he actually believes in what he says he believes in) which is precisely why they don't very much feel the need to get angry and confrontational about anything.

Margaret Beckett once had principles. Only she found them to be cumbersome baggage, as she successfully carved herself out a career in the upper echelons of New Labour. So they were ditched.

As much as I'm not convinced the 3rd runway is ideal, I'm 99.999999997% sure that throwing custard wont change anyones mind and that it just makes her go on TV appearing like a whiney greasy-haired child. He was quite funny in his response and very composed, which is impressive - I'm fairly sure my instant reaction to someone chucking stuff in my face from close range would be to lash out!

Margaret Beckett...

Hmm, do any of you have secret kinky fantasies, involving the Right Honourable Ms Beckett, and some unusual objects and materials?

Go on, I bet you do!

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Hmm, do any of you have secret kinky fantasies, involving the Right Honourable Ms Beckett, and some unusual objects and materials?

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I liked the - refreshing - attitude of Scotland Yard when asked if they'd be investigating

[b][i]“It’s not a murder, it’s just someone throwing a bit of paint. There is no investigation under way and no arrest. We would not take action unless we receive a complaint.” [/i][/b]

Im surprised the police havent been reported to the PCA because there was a police car within a 4 block radius of the incident... 🙂

oh those cheeky terrorists, always up for a laugh!

ffs coffeeking, what you going to do after killing and frying her ?

Eat her ? .............. now [i]that[/i] would be a "kinky fantasy" 😯

Well I tend to prefer the fresher cuts but I'd give it a go. Certainly no other things I'd try!

I can confirm that my fantasies are a Margaret Beckett-free zone, and if it's all the same to you I'll keep it that way....

Mandelson wandering around in there I could just about take, but Beckett is a definite no-no.

Fing is; Leila Deen threw the stuff over Mandy, to highlight the Plane Stupid campaign. But all the TV and Radio programmes are talking about, is the legality and implications of her actions. Bugger all mention of the actual reason she did it.

And now I've seen the mardy cow spouting on about stuff, I've lost any support I may have had for the campaign. In fact, build [i]another[/i] runway, just to piss her off! Campaign FAIL.

Silly bint. Comparing their 'struggle' with that of the Miners, or Suffragettes?? Piffle.

Mandy shooduv roundhouse kicked her in the head. That wooduv taught her.

What do we want? More runways! When do we want them? Now!

What about Caroline Flint MP?

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Hmmmmmm.......

Throwing harmless stuff at politicians is perfectly fine - as is insulting them and heckling them. Nowt that could cause anything other than a bruised ego of course but I have absolutely no problem with this one and I applaud her for doing it.

I sold a bike to Peter Tatchell once. He's not a very nice person, I don't think. He was quite rude to me. Very arrogant, I thought.

People in plastic houses shouldn't throw Nitromors. 🙄

Very clever, AdamG! Have a gold star!

TJ; ok then, I'll throw mushy peas over you, then. I won't expect any retribution.

TJ; ok then, I'll throw mushy peas over you, then. I won't expect any retribution.

Other than a smack in the mouth?

Well, that's my point, in't it?

You can't just go round throwing stuff over other people, just 'cos you feel like it.

Stupid and childish. That woman's just made herself look like an idiot.

Taking on a politician like Mandy? Think you can just walk away? Hmm, good luck in any future career, love...

Well, that's my point, in't it?

You can't just go round throwing stuff over other people, just 'cos you feel like it.

Stupid and childish. That woman's just made herself look like an idiot.

Taking on a politician like Mandy? Think you can just walk away? Hmm, good luck in any future career, love

Not really she's on every national news channel, mission accomplished I would think!

Think you are also overreacting. I suspect Mandelson will not be making it his mission to ruin her career.

Rudeboy - for sure the thrower gets whats coming to them. In Prescotts case it was a punch in the gob. Mandy has made nowt of it. No complaint to the polis = no prosecution. In other cases they have been rightly prosecuted. I never said they should get away with it - they have to face the consequences of their actions. Me - I'd have you drawn and quartered.

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A camel

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Margeret Beckett

Is it just me that thinks this?

Stupid and childish. That woman's just made herself look like an idiot.

Accusations that are levelled at you on a daily basis. Doesn't stop you doing it though does it. Why is anybodies guess. 🙄

...
Pook - Member
ok, all credibility lost by comparing her actions to those of the suffragettes and the miners....

Self righteous climate change custard cobber

Posted 7 hours ago # Report-Post
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It depends on your perspective i think.

I think climate change is as big an issue as women voting is,which was about human rights,because you could argue that people have a right to live in an unpolluted environment,and it can ipmact people's quality of lives like the mines closing down did do.

A lot of people will lose thier homes and jobs and possibly lives if the planet heats up by not many degrees,from things like glaciers and snows melting which provide people with drinking water,and the sea becoming much more barren and less diverse because of acidification from CO2 emissions which could affect fishermen's livelyhoods, and the lives of costal comunities,which the third runway isn't really going to help.

Personally I think the issue she's hilighting,rather than the thowing of the green goo,is easily comparible in seriousness to the miner's strikes or woman's rights in the UK.

I'd be interested to know why you don't,though.

Cheers
Tim

markenduro; that's a bit unkind.

That's quite a nice looking camel.

AdamG; you love me really, don't you? You must do, considering the amount of interest you show to the utter rubbish I post! Makes me laugh.

Fair enough, TJ. I'duv had her tortured. Put it this way, the leccy bill would go up dramatically..

No, I woon't really. Prolly just instinctively lash out, tbh.

She's lucky. In some countries, she'd have been shot, or dragged off screaming to be tortured in some cell somewhere well away from the public eye.

Poindexter for someone who's only been on the forum for less than 2 weeks, you appear to be something of an expert on RudeBoy.

does not in any way he? I find it quite flattering, really, if a little creepy...

Yeah, I can't get enough of self-righteous cockernee bed-wetters. 🙄

See? He just can't resist me!

Want a signed pic, to treasure forever?