A good age to be an MP

[andrewb]

Originally I thought people should go into parliament when they're older. Thinking about it again, as Less has just said, I don't think it's about age but about whether you're capable of being the best representative of the people. Take the expenses scandal, members who have had 20, 30 or 40 years life experience have still lined their own pockets. The constituents can see that paying for the cleaning of a moat, a duck house, or swindling your second home allowance, is out of order, and an abuse of taxpayers money. It doesn't take a wealth of experience to know that, it takes judgement. An MP must be able to represent and listen to constituents of all ages. What it required is an ability to use the information gathered from listening to those with wide ranges of experience and circumstances in Hyndburn, and to actively make a judgement in the best interests of those people.

[shillelagh]

Late thirties early forties ... bit of life behind em and quite a bit to go at preferably ... accidents notwithstanding ...

[Gayle]

I don't think the expenses scandal will be too much of an issue in Hyndburn at the next General election as Greg is standing down. All those who go up for election will be able to say that they would have behaved differently.

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by Gayle

I don't think the expenses scandal will be too much of an issue in Hyndburn at the next General election as Greg is standing down. All those who go up for election will be able to say that they would have behaved differently.

Obviously, it does not matter to Greg anymore but for the main parties alot now depends on when the election is and what memories people have of this scandal and what further skeletons will come out the cupboard. I really do think that people will treat the three main parties with the contempt they deserve; they are all corrupt to the core. Any ideological differences they may have had have long since vanished and each exists solely for the purpose of the exercising of power for no ones gratification other than their own.

Good independent candidates, irrespective of age but who are betoken to no one other than their constituents now have their best ever chance of election to a parliament and to get the radical changes we so need.

By the way, I see the Observer is leading on Greg's housing claims. Just a shame they missed on his accountant's bills which the taxpayer has paid.....or is this for another thread?

[Gayle]

What I meant, was that because there is no sitting MP restanding it levels the playing field a bit more.

[nicola68]

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Good independent candidates, irrespective of age but who are betoken to no one other than their constituents now have their best ever chance of election to a parliament and to get the radical changes we so need.

not so sure about the irrespective of age.....! I think age does have some bearing, .........but otherwise couldn't agree more! excellent comment

[Tealeaf]

Originally Posted by Gayle

What I meant, was that because there is no sitting MP restanding it levels the playing field a bit more.

It does indeed. As I see it, all the parties in all the constituencies where MP's are being forced out will be seeking local people as their prospective candidates - they won't want people parachuted in from outside. In Hyndburn in Labour's case it means Jones & in the Tories it's Britcliffe.(Forget about the Liberal democrats). Both of 'em will be fully tarred with the brown matter of their party's parliamentary corruption. Therefore any reasonably-well known, local, untainted independent will therefore pick up votes from the main parties and if they have the right manifesto which encompasses a promise of transparency, accountability and service to their constituents and not whoever is in Downing Street, then they should win.

[jaysay]

Well I think the ideal age is 59 myself But seriously I've voted for mid forties, but if you have some one with the right attitude and the zest to do the job, why should age be a bar, there are quite a few MPs who are quite long in the tooth

[garinda]

Age is unimportant to me.

There's good and bad across the age range.

[Bernard Dawson]

After given this a lot of thought I would say 60. They would also have to live in Accrington. And a definite prerequisite, they would have to be a Stanley fan.

But where would you ever find such a candidate.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by Less

Only Curious but, how old was Churchill when he took on his rather responsible task?

Surely it shouldn't be about age, it should be about ability, the man for the job, there at the right time and able to carry the work through no matter what.

Earlier in his life he made monumental mistakes but when needed he seemed to manage o.k.

It should not be a question of age as much as capability for doing the job, the 59 year old that people are thinking about isn't capable of much responsibility, there again neither am I.

At least I know it.

You are quite right Less, it should be about ability, but the question that Gayle posed for us was 'What is the optimum age to stand for parliament'.........that being the question, I had taken that the ability to do the job was a 'given'.

I don't know what age Churchill was........from what I remember of him he always looked like my grandad........the the arena of politics has changed beyond all recognition since his day......and I wonder how he would have coped in the current political situation.

I think that a good candidate should have gained life experience, and ideally should live in the area that he represents.....I would even say that he /she should have been brought up in the area or have strong family links to the area......and although I would want my candidate to have enough years under their belt to have gained life experience, I would want them to be young enough not to alienate the younger voters by rigid attitudes.......outmoded ideas......lastly I would want a candidate that had a good work ethic and integrity........who wouldn't be bleating(like Kitty Ussher) 'I did nothing wrong'.

I think this is a pretty straighforward wish list of attributes.....now whether it is achievable is another question altogether.

[Eric]

Personally don't think anyone should be allowed to run for public office until they have reached the age of 110.

[steeljack]

whats the old saying ...youth and exhuberance is no match for old age and experiance (or should that be old age and treachery )

[Eric]

Originally Posted by steeljack

whats the old saying ...youth and exhuberance is no match for old age and experiance (or should that be old age and treachery )

I prefer old age and lechery

[cashman]

trouble with Churchill or so me dads generation told me many times- he was a good war time leader n a complete ****** in peacetime.