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umkraut

This is not true - is it?

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Flowering Annual

Posts: 35

07-05-08 10:25

I was reading an article in my local (German) newspaper this morning about the results of the elections in London. I must admit, I have followed the elections as avidly as I watch trees waiting for dead birds to fall out of them... London now has a new Mayor - Mr. Boris Johnson, who by the looks of his haircut and shabby suit could easily pass as the defense against the dark arts instructor at Hogwarts!
What cracked me up was the paper said he won the election because he has promised to bring back the old 'Routemaster' double- decker buses and get rid of the new Mercedes 'bendy' buses. Please tell me this isn't true? are elections now won by the type of bus that rolls down London streets? Besides, if the man had any taste he would bring back the old 'RT's' they at least had character and charm.....

Mrs Muggleton

#1

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Established Tree

Posts: 4503

07-05-08 10:44

Established Tree

I think Boris won because of his personality, he's a bit of a celeb, very eccentric and highly amusing.

There's been lots of accidents reported about the bendy buses, they've had a lot of bad press. yes, that was one of his policies

PaulineM

#2

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Established Tree

Posts: 20265

07-05-08 11:34

Retired Auctioneer

Boris Johnson - an article with links to some U-tube clips to make you wonder what Londoners have let themselves in for. You have to hand it to the Brits when it comes to sheer bravery - or is it bravado? ;)

Last Edited By: PaulineM 07-05-08 14:42. Edited 1 time.

cwmhill

#3

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Mature Shrub

Posts: 2238

07-05-08 14:23

Mature Shrub

Boris Johnson, is the best thing that's happen to London in years , get rid of the new Mercedes bendy' buses well they are a load of rubbish anyway .
make you wonder what Londoners have let themselves in for . a man that does not bull sh*t , and calls a spade a spade.

Its time this country started standing up for it self and putting the Britt's first and not listen to those who move out , its like the old saying if yu can't stand the heat in the kitchen get out .

Last Edited By: Pip at Home 07-05-08 14:39. Edited 1 time.

PaulineM

#4

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Established Tree

Posts: 20266

07-05-08 14:56

Retired Auctioneer

I wasn't aware that you lived in London, Cwm.

Laura Penstemon

#5

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Established Tree

Posts: 9133

07-05-08 17:46

Established Tree

Well I reckon its a disastorous result for London (no surprise there

). Cwm, I think Ray has as much right to comment as anyone else. I am sure we will all voice our opinions when the Americans chose their next president!!

www.realgardener.me.uk

Last Edited By: Laura Penstemon 07-05-08 19:17. Edited 1 time.

lottiedigger

#6

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Flowering Annual

Posts: 312

07-05-08 18:21

Flowering Annual

In my own cynical fashion I believe that the vote was not so much one for Boris (who may be a celebrity, what ever that is, but is also a buffoon) as against Ken Livingstone...... but we will all wait and see. However, just think. Boris had more votes than any MP from the London area if not the country. There are many MPs for the London area but only one mayor!
Lottie

mojohnson

#7

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Flowering Annual

Posts: 194

07-05-08 18:41

Flowering Annual

I was about to say similar Lottie, it seems a lot of folk wanted to see the back of Ken Livingstone

cwmhill

#8

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Mature Shrub

Posts: 2239

08-05-08 00:08

Mature Shrub

Cwm, I think Ray has as much right to comment as anyone else.

I fully agree with you pen , but once again it seem that we are willing to let others slag us off that don't live here, but we must be nice to them just in case we hurt there feeling , this is tipical second class or even third class britts atitued well I am nither of those two class's and never will be .
Pauline London is part of my country and I have the right to stand for it or slag it off as I live in the UK . and pay big taxes pay the taxes then have your say thousand of peeps from all round the world come here meddical care and pay well for it , so there must be doing some thing right or these peeps would not come .

I think Cwm has as much right to comment as anyone else to

CWM

Last Edited By: cwmhill 08-05-08 00:40. Edited 1 time.

Scotty996

#9

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Herbaceous Perennial

Posts: 630

08-05-08 08:41

Flowering Annual

I think Cwm has as much right to comment as anyone else to

Of course you have but why do you have to be so bl**dy RUDE about it.

pay the taxes then have your say

Thanks Cwm. For your information I still pay taxes and National Insurance to the BRITISH government even though I live in Spain. These taxes are paid because I have an occupational pension which is paid to me in England and is paid into an English Bank and I will guess that I am paying a hell of a lot more in tax than you are.

Pauline London is part of my country

Since when was London part of Wales. Make your mind up pal, you are constantly going on about Wales being only for the Welsh and no one should be allowed to buy a second home there, but now suddenly you are part of the UK because it suits your argument.

Last Edited By: PaulineM 08-05-08 08:47. Edited 1 time.

Mrs Muggleton

#10

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Established Tree

Posts: 4504

08-05-08 10:10

Established Tree

London is the capital of the United Kingdom, of which Wales is part I believe

Let's not get nasty about these things, everybody's opinion is valid

I don't live in London, but I was first to reply to the thread.

Scotty996

#11

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Herbaceous Perennial

Posts: 633

08-05-08 10:21

Flowering Annual

Muggs, you obviously did not see Cwms posting before it was censored.

PaulineM

#12

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Established Tree

Posts: 20279

08-05-08 10:43

Retired Auctioneer

I agree with not getting nasty, Muggs, but you (not you personally I hasten to add!) really can't insult people and expect them to just sit and take it.

Personally I am incandescent with rage at the implication that, because I no longer live in the UK, I have no right to criticise it - even mildly and occasionally, or even from my own experience. So, because I no longer live there I'm supposed to declare it perfect? Do let's get real!

What I don't have the right to do is vote in the UK. Quite right too, as I don't have to live with most of the consequences. But I don't think I should have to pussyfoot around avoiding expressing opinions that are critical of the 'sceptred isle'.

Mrs Muggleton

#13

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Established Tree

Posts: 4506

08-05-08 10:50

Established Tree

I'm sorry I didn't see cwm's original posting. But knowing what he's like I can imagine its tone and content.
I agree that just because you don't inhabit a country doesn't mean you can't have an opinion on its culture/politics etc, BUT at the same time, cwm is entitled to his opinion that he thinks otherwise. However, it shouldn't get "personally" insulting.

I feel too grotty today to put forward a decent comment to be honest

mammaj

#14

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Mature Shrub

Posts: 2645

08-05-08 11:39

Mature Shrub

We all have our say about other countries regardless of whether we live there or understand what the necessities of the people are. I'm British & tho I don't live there I think I have the right to say what I think about it (I don't pay taxes there but I don't have a pension there either) I agree with Pauline it would be wrong for me to vote (Italians living outside of Italy can do so). Hey perhaps the UK needs a defence against the dark arts instructor! I wouldn't mind one over here...

umkraut

#15

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Flowering Annual

Posts: 37

08-05-08 12:17

Wow Cwm.... Getting a little hot under the old nationalistic collar there

Whether you consider my comments as 'slagging' is your own personal interpretation, and my feelings are certainly not hurt... Basically I wanted to know if what I read in my local rag was correct, and Muggs, thank you for answering my question.

In regards to the tax question, you are perfectly correct. I do not pay English taxes anymore. I pay German taxes - so does that mean anything for London? Yes, do you think that the 'Docklands renovation project' was paid for by money only from Whitehall? The Docklands received substantial subsidies from the European Economic Community. So my tax money, and Pauline's taxes, Mammaj taxes, Lynneb's taxes and Scotty's taxes etc. etc all helped to pay for the renovation.

This may be a hard one to swallow Cwm, but the motorway that runs close to my village is being expanded to six lanes. They are building new bridges for the expansion - and yes, it's also being subsidized by the EEC. So some of your tax pounds are being used to build bridges in Germany! Whether you agree with this is secondary, it's a fact, and the politicians in Brussels are making the decisions (rightly or wrongly).....

cwmhill

#16

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Mature Shrub

Posts: 2240

08-05-08 14:07

Mature Shrub

I have been asked not to up set or be rude to ex pats, and I respect the person that asked me so there will be no more postings on this topic from me

Its ok Muggs thanks for trying to stick up for me, My skin is now so thick it all just bounces off me

CWM

Laura Penstemon

#17

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Established Tree

Posts: 9140

08-05-08 20:13

Established Tree

Luckily for us we all live in free countries and have freedom of speech, so we can ALL air an opinion including Cwm, Ray, scotty and anyone else.

If I knew anything about German politics I would be happy comment but apart from the fact they have a lady president/ prime minister (Angela Mercal??) I know nothing...as for Belgium

Can we start on the USA system of primaries?? What a farce that is

Lets all try and get on without any personal comments...

www.realgardener.me.uk

Rich

#18

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Established Tree

Posts: 3634

08-05-08 21:00

Established Tree

Boris is portrayed as being a bumbling old fool, but he is in fact a highly intelligent man. Let's face it anybody is better that that disaster Red Ken.

The answer lies in the soil - Arthur Fallowfield.

My Pond and garden projects site.

Laurel360

#19

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Established Tree

Posts: 20669

08-05-08 22:11

Established Tree

Yeah, what Rich said! I've never liked Ken Livingstone (except when I realised Tony Blair didn't like him either). I really do think Boris is good value.

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