MPs you genuinely admire

[TopGun]

There are a few I think are trying to do the right thing.

 

I like both Alan Whitehead and John Denham as they are both sensible MPs for Southampton and not egotists within Labour.

 

I like Hilary Benn for being practical.

 

I like Ken Clarke for his robustness.

 

I'd have a drink with Charles Kennedy too.

Edited 10 April, 2010 by TopGun

[LGTL]

Vince Cable. I'd rather have him in charge of the economy then either Darling or Osbourne.

[Saintandy666]

Alistair Darling has proven himself to be his own man in recent months, and has stood up to brown and to be fair has been proven to be right on many issues people doubted him on. This has meant he is basically unsackable at the moment.

[IamLeGod]

Most admit. The Tory MP in my home constituency of Ruislip, Nick Hurd (son of Douglas Hurd) does actually seem a good bloke and interested in trying to help in the constituency.

 

Fought hard to keep open the local cancer hospice and came over very well in the Expenses Scandal.

[Johnny Bognor]

Vince Cable. I'd rather have him in charge of the economy then either Darling or Osbourne.

 

I'd rather have Ken Clarke, the most successful chancellor in modern history. He's got form and it's good.

 

I watch This Week (after question time) and have to say that Portillo would make a great PM. When in govt, he was an arrogant ****, but I think over the last 10 years he has moderated, carries himself well and is in touch with the public.

 

I also have admiration for conviction politicians, even if I don't agree with their politics. The Tony Benn's of this world are alas a dying breed.

[Sheaf Saint]

Vince Cable. I'd rather have him in charge of the economy then either Darling or Osbourne.

 

+1.

 

The only other politician I ever really had any great respect for is sadly no longer with us - Mo Mowlam.

[Johnny Bognor]

+1.

 

The only other politician I ever really had any great respect for is sadly no longer with us - Mo Mowlam.

 

Watched that TV drama about Mo, yes RIP.

 

That Medelsome fella stitched her up big time.

[dune]

I'd rather have Ken Clarke, the most successful chancellor in modern history. He's got form and it's good.

 

I watch This Week (after question time) and have to say that Portillo would make a great PM. When in govt, he was an arrogant ****, but I think over the last 10 years he has moderated, carries himself well and is in touch with the public.

 

I also have admiration for conviction politicians, even if I don't agree with their politics. The Tony Benn's of this world are alas a dying breed.

 

I agree with everything you said about Portillo, perhaps it's an age thing but he's certainly less smug looking now. I also watch this week and it has be said that that Diane Abbott is thick as ****.

[dune]

My all time favourites would Douglas Hurd for the Tories, Dennis Skinner for Labour, Paddy Ashdown for the Liberals. All different, but what you see is what you get with them.

[bridge too far]

I agree with everything you said about Portillo, perhaps it's an age thing but he's certainly less smug looking now. I also watch this week and it has be said that that Diane Abbott is thick as ****.

 

I don't have time for her either but it's silly to say she's thick. She went to Cambridge University - not the normal pattern for a 'thick' person.

 

I think she and Portillo work very well together. Apparently they were at school together! But she is more Tory than Labour in my view.

[sadoldgit]

One of the few I have respected over the years was David Owen. Vey level headed and spoke a lot of sense. He belived that cabinets should be formed of thebest people for the job i.e. perhaps a Chancellor from the Lib Dems, Home Sectretary from the Tories etc. Adverserial politics is very destructive. Once the country has voted all parties should pull together for the good of the country. WE also nedd to chaneg the voting system so that the Parliament respesents votes caste.

[saintsmike25]

John Denham without a doubt. Stood down over the Iraq war and has always turned down the major roles and not been an egotist.

[Johnny Bognor]

My all time favourites would Douglas Hurd for the Tories, Dennis Skinner for Labour, Paddy Ashdown for the Liberals. All different, but what you see is what you get with them.

 

 

Yep, Paddy Pantsdown def gets my vote

[dune]

One of the few I have respected over the years was David Owen. Vey level headed and spoke a lot of sense. He belived that cabinets should be formed of thebest people for the job i.e. perhaps a Chancellor from the Lib Dems, Home Sectretary from the Tories etc. Adverserial politics is very destructive. Once the country has voted all parties should pull together for the good of the country. WE also nedd to chaneg the voting system so that the Parliament respesents votes caste.

 

The boundaries certainly need to be looked at because they strongly favour Labour.

[timebomb]

I used to admire Ken Clarke in his out of government years, but disagreed with him and his constant support and campaigning for the tobacco lobby.

I detested Portillo during his government days but quite like the man now.

Another politician would be Boris Johnson who doesn't seem to take himself too seriously, I laughed when that C**t Michael Howard sent him to Liverpool to apologise for his gaff in the Spectator that he didn't even write.

Tony Ben stands out as a real conviction politician as did Foot ,both fought for what they believed unlike the newer bunch who seem more concerned with their careers.

I used to be a very political person but with all the current scandals I cant get the enthusiasm for it like I used to.

[SNSUN]

I met Michael Trend as a kid, my mum used to work in the Windsor Tory office as a secretary, and once or twice I bumped into him. Seemed like a nice bloke, from what I remember of him.

[dune]

I'm suprised none of the Labour supporters have nominater Peter Mandelson.

[harvey]

I'm suprised none of the Labour supporters have nominater Peter Mandelson.

 

As soon as he was 'invited back', it was obvious that Labour had lost it.

[harvey]

Oh..........Norman Baker btw.

[saint_stevo]

conor burns

[Colinjb]

Daniel Hannan. (Ok, an MEP, but still...)

 

Love the way he 'served' Gordon Brown at the European government. A man of conviction in his own ideas and not afraid to challenge convention. A future prime minister himself if I ever saw one, yet I fear he may always be considered slightly too radical for those controlling the Tory Party to let up the ladder.

 

Also, Mo Mowlem. Coventry's finest.

[View From The Top]

I'd rather have Ken Clarke, the most successful chancellor in modern history. He's got form and it's good.

 

I watch This Week (after question time) and have to say that Portillo would make a great PM. When in govt, he was an arrogant ****, but I think over the last 10 years he has moderated, carries himself well and is in touch with the public.

 

I also have admiration for conviction politicians, even if I don't agree with their politics. The Tony Benn's of this world are alas a dying breed.

 

He's a character that's really grown on me since he's been out of politics and I always read his column in The Sunday Times. He's still too right wing for me but now the arrogance has gone he does speak a lot of sense on a number of issues.

 

I've always admired Dennis Skinner and conviction politicians of all hues.

 

I despise career politician such as Cameron and the Milibands.

[bridge too far]

I met David Milliband at a wedding recently. He was very pleasant and not at all arrogant.

[View From The Top]

Of the current crop the only one I genuine admire is Vince Cable.

 

He has a genuine A1+ CV and it shows when he comments on the economy, unlike his Tory & Labour counterparts.

[View From The Top]

I met David Milliband at a wedding recently. He was very pleasant and not at all arrogant.

 

He's a career politican and therefore a **** be him a nice person or not.

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

It is a great pity that John Smith died so young. The greatest Prime Minister Britain never had.

[bridge too far]

It is a great pity that John Smith died so young. The greatest Prime Minister Britain never had.

 

Absolutely.

[View From The Top]

It is a great pity that John Smith died so young. The greatest Prime Minister Britain never had.

 

Agree 100%.

[bungle]

Daniel Hannan. (Ok, an MEP, but still...)

 

Love the way he 'served' Gordon Brown at the European government. A man of conviction in his own ideas and not afraid to challenge convention. A future prime minister himself if I ever saw one, yet I fear he may always be considered slightly too radical for those controlling the Tory Party to let up the ladder.

 

lol....really?!

[Jones91]

Enoch Powell

[Badger]

Enoch Powell

 

One of the greatest politicians of the second half of the twentieth century,and one of the best speakers in the House of Commons in that time.

 

That view incidentally was given by Shirley Williams ( former Labour cabinet minister,and SDP MP) in an interview.Whilst she disagreed with his views she admitted to admiring his intellect,and speeches in the house.

[TopGun]

I'm suprised none of the Labour supporters have nominater Peter Mandelson.

 

TBF I do have a sneaking admiration for Lord Snape. He's very clear and organised in what he wants. The Tories would love to have him on board. Although, Dune, he is not an MP.

[Colinjb]

lol....really?!

 

 

Yes Bungle, really. I know you will not agree as you are somewhat left of the centre but still, this thread is about personal preference. No place for a personal crusade chap.

[bungle]

Yes Bungle, really. I know you will not agree as you are somewhat left of the centre but still, this thread is about personal preference. No place for a personal crusade chap.

 

You seem to have missed the point of the thread. There are MPs I don't agree with who I admire.

 

But Hannan is nothing more than a snivelling git after soundbites with nothing behind anything he says. He is one of the worst kinds of politician.

[Colinjb]

You seem to have missed the point of the thread.

 

I can assure you I havn't.

[Robsk II]

Tony Benn, though no longer an MP. Also Neil Kinnock.

[bridge too far]

Tony Benn

Mo Mowlam

Clare Short

Dennis Skinner

 

Caroline Lucas (MEP)

[Causer]

You seem to have missed the point of the thread. There are MPs I don't agree with who I admire.

 

But Hannan is nothing more than a snivelling git after soundbites with nothing behind anything he says. He is one of the worst kinds of politician.

 

Actually he wrote a very good book called The Plan which has some very good ideas about the devoloution of power away from central government.

 

He is not just a fine orator but a man with ideas whether you agree with them or not

[scotty]

Vince Cable. I'd rather have him in charge of the economy then either Darling or Osbourne.

 

personally I agree, but dont forget that he alone of the 3 of them is able to speak his mind about the economy without the burden of believing the policies he is advocating will ever have to be actually carried through. For example, can you imagine vince cable trying to drag us into the euro?? and that is stated liberal policy, he would have to do it and the electorate would crucify him. The libs will not form the next government, darling and osborne have imo a roughly even chance of becoming the next chancellor and will be as shackled by their party's political stance as every other chancellor. Whatever they say now will be held up as gospel after the election whichever one of them is in power. Twas ever thus, sadly

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

You seem to have missed the point of the thread. There are MPs I don't agree with who I admire.

 

But Hannan is nothing more than a snivelling git after soundbites with nothing behind anything he says. He is one of the worst kinds of politician.

 

Bungle I would have to contest that. You do not like Hannan because you did not like what he says and the success that he has had saying it as it is. He clearly believes in what he is saying and tows his own line and not always the party lines. I call that principled.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

Always worth another look though bungle. Prudence being exposed for his short comings when we were doing well.

 

[Deano6]

Margaret Thatcher

[bungle]

personally I agree, but dont forget that he alone of the 3 of them is able to speak his mind about the economy without the burden of believing the policies he is advocating will ever have to be actually carried through. For example, can you imagine vince cable trying to drag us into the euro?? and that is stated liberal policy, he would have to do it and the electorate would crucify him. The libs will not form the next government, darling and osborne have imo a roughly even chance of becoming the next chancellor and will be as shackled by their party's political stance as every other chancellor. Whatever they say now will be held up as gospel after the election whichever one of them is in power. Twas ever thus, sadly

 

It's not Lib Dem policy to join the Euro. Many party members wish it was.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

we would be screwed like Greece if the value of the pound was kept arificially high.

[dune]

It's not Lib Dem policy to join the Euro. Many party members wish it was.

 

Things like this explain the Lib Dems fading in the opinion polls.

[scotty]

It's not Lib Dem policy to join the Euro. Many party members wish it was.

 

 

I thought it was lib dem policy to hold a referendum asap, and to campaign vigorously in favour of it:confused: I dont think they could just say it was their policy to join it.

[Wade Garrett]

John Denham, put principles before his career, is very approachable, and has given up a fair bit of time for a charity my wife works for.

Mike Han**** - very good speaker.

Dennis Skinner

Vince Cable

James Purnell - hope he comes back. I always thought he was PM material.

[scotty]

John Denham, put principles before his career

 

 

Excellent point, well taken. How many others in or around the cabinet actually stood down rather than go along with the "party" line on iraq?, I cant think of any apart from robin cook, fair play to him.

[bridge too far]

Excellent point, well taken. How many others in or around the cabinet actually stood down rather than go along with the "party" line on iraq?, I cant think of any apart from robin cook, fair play to him.

 

Clare Short, eventually.

[Joesaint]

Has to be Boris for what he said about Portsmouth ha ha

 

Don't really have a fav maybe William Hague but have to add who I hate the most which is Harriet Harman she is c**p.