John Redwood's Diary
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Multiple long postings with attachments
December 14, 2017 39 Comments
I have just had to delete a number of these as I do not have time to check them all out.
December 14, 2017 39 Comments
39 Comments
acorn December 14, 2017
What exactly is the purpose of your web-site then? OK; I know that every MP most wants to get on television as often as possible; a social media site such as this one, is as good a way as any of attracting media producers
You have attracted a regular couple of dozen ultra right-wing commenters, whose uneducated, simplistic, repetitive rantings, are daily being exposed for exactly what they are; thus doing your “leave” campaign, no favours whatsoever.
sm December 15, 2017
What an incredibly offensive post! I read articles here about matters that interest or concern me, and am grateful for John’s expertise and clarity, as I believe are many others.
No-one is forcing you to read this blog, and many might find it improved without your
frequent rudeness.
Johnny Englander December 15, 2017
Oooh, my antenna is twitching over this one! What better way to rally the troops when things are going badly than to post a contribution guaranteed to offend as first reply on the list, and then sit back and wait for the regulars to react with predictable apoplectic fits?
Controversy sparks interest – any newspaper editor will tell you that – and a good editor knows his readers.
Narrow Shoulders December 15, 2017
Interestingly I thought that the multiple postings complaint referred to the ultra right wing posters. The middle of the road and lefties tend to hit and run on this site.
To answer the point about the site from my own perspective is that I get to express an opinion to one of only 650 people who legislate.
I hope that my contributions are worthy of reflection for the MP. I am less concerned about the readership.
Jagman84 December 15, 2017
For “ultra right-wing” read normal, mainstream views….. The Socialist left wing of the Tory party is now the real danger in the UK.
Iain Gill December 15, 2017
you show us pdf’s of your exam certificates and we will show you ours
uneducated, lol
right and left wing doesnt adequately capture the wide range of views
I can guarantee the majority view of the British public is closer to my views than anything in the main stream media, or expressed by any MP
a-tracy December 15, 2017
Ultra right wing? who are you accusing of that? I read this blog every day and I want to know who you consider ultra right wing? I don’t read any Ultra Right Wing posts! Just what is that accusation, someone diametrically opposed to just you and your version of life?
Rien Huizer December 15, 2017
@acorn: indeed. Informative, well reasoned posts from a mainstream economics perspective are deleted or passed through very late. Unless mr Redwood wants only comments that are emotional and correspond with the tendencies he wants to stimulate he should be glad that a few people take the trouble to disagree with him or with his loyal followers. That makes for a noteworthy blog, rather than an “echo chamber”. You and a few others are hardly far from the conservative or classical liberal mainstream.
acorn December 15, 2017
Exactly so Rien. But I and a few others are trying to educate the UK populace on how the economy actually works; and, how to make it work much better for the little people and not just the 1% elite, to which, the Conservative party is permanently tethered.
Thatcher said there is no such thing as society. Her disciples in the current Conservative Party, have spent the last three decades making sure of it.
sm December 16, 2017
You might benefit from some education yourself, acorn, first of all by reading the full article in which Mrs Thatcher made clear her preference for wider societal responsibility.
Richard1 December 16, 2017
A frequent misquote of Mrs Thatcherās words. The key point she was making is that āsocietyā is made up of individuals. Utopian policies aimed at āsocietyā which ignore the importanceās of individual preferences and responsibilities are what led to the disaster of socialism,communism, fascism etc. It seems you are not very well equipped to educate society if you are ignorant of the proper context for your misquote.
ksb December 15, 2017
Ultra right-wing? I’m not sure I’ve ever read a comment that would fit into this category, and I’m sure JR would consider such behavior objectionable.
There are certainly regular centre-right, right and libertarian contributors (naming no names), along with more progressive, statist leaning people.
To devolve the political landscape to simple ‘agree with me’ or ‘ultra right-wing’ is naive and obstructive. Sure you may not agree with JR’s politics but that is an opportunity to debate and challenge, rather than name call and dismiss.
As for the suggestion that the site is merely to attract the attention of TV producers, I’d suggest that John would have given up years ago if that were the case as the effort/reward ratio would be terrible given the relative lack of invites to said medium.
/rant
Right Wing Extremist December 16, 2017
@acorn
I’m said to be an ultra right-wing extremist. All my teachers were leftie liberals , anarchists, socialists and communists by their own boast. The fact they made me aware of their politics so readily, tells its own story…well the headline of one of the stories I’m writing anyway. Our teaching profession do so much harm…and they are so intolerant.
Chris f December 14, 2017
John,
O/T but just watching Sky and am totally and utterly gobsmacked…to say the least
Do you agree with Sarah Wollaston that we wouldnāt be able to access certain drugs if there isnāt a soft Brexit or do you think that she is somewhat āmisledā and potentially talking absolute rubbish?
Iām holding back on what I would like to say, but really…?
What on earth is she talking about??
Again and again December 16, 2017
All these remoaners have been given proper detailed replies repeatedly …
Rien Huizer December 16, 2017
All these things, flights to Europe, medicines, access to parts for manufacturers, will have to be negotiated and UK rules have do be adapted to the new circumstances. The problem is, no one knows what those circumstances will be, when the change will start (and if, there is still a possibility that very little will change and the range has narrowed) and how long it will take. In fact, we know virtually nothing, except that continued EU membership is virtually unattainable (90% Uk problems, 10% EU) and likewise, no one in Europe wants a UK that swings to one of the extremes: the sweatshop or the closed shop. So there is some leverage for moderates and you see that in action by the clever “bumbling” of May and Davis. They deserve statues. Much more important than Nelson imo.
Miss Brandreth-Jones December 14, 2017
As I get older I cannot cope with hype,remarks made to try and undermine or ridicule others and general stupidity . I still enjoy learning though and am comfortable having John’s blogs in my life even though sometimes I do not agree. The attitude which has given him the nickname ‘The vulcan’ sits well with myself.
Din-din December 14, 2017
The BBC says Mrs May ‘s dessert for her EU dinner is “Festive Log” which I guess is a Yuletide Log but in PC-Speak. If they’re having turkey as the meat dish they have probably renamed it Seasonal Fowl. Anyway, I’m having a a bit of duck for Christmas.
Richard Elsy December 14, 2017
I gather that my family is opting for a rib of beef having rejected my plea for a haunch of venison…I daresay we’ll all get along, unlike our old chums in the r27 of the EU.
Peter Wood December 15, 2017
Call me an old rebel, but I’ve long thought turkey over-rated; we’re having a properly cured ham.
Dr. Redwood, suggested topic: ‘Why is the parliamentary Tory Party it own worst opposition?’.
Peter December 14, 2017
āI have just had to delete a number of these as I do not have time to check them all out.ā
Good man.
Although I admit I have posted more than once on some topics, it did seem the usual suspects were still firing off multiple replies without hindrance.
It is a shame that others who feel they have something to say are discouraged by the moderation they encounter.
SOS December 14, 2017
The attitude which has given him the nickname āThe vulcanā
…
I would rather be a Vulcan than an EU Cling-on.
Perhaps thats what we should call the Remoaners now? The Klingons.
jerry December 15, 2017
@SOS; “Perhaps thats what we should call the Remoaners now? The Klingons.”
What ever rocks your boat! I suspect, though, Brexiteers would soon be known as “Klangers” by reply….
Back on-topic… I take your comment about “attachments” to be a request not to post URL’s (that you then need to check), and that you prefer -in parliamentary parlance- interventions rather than full blown speeches?
ksb December 16, 2017
Or comments…
Tad Davison December 15, 2017
I was always offended by that label, and felt it was a rude and unnecessary attempt to diminish JR in the eyes of the public, but it does also have positive connotations. The most famous son of Vulcan was extremely logical and of a far higher intellect than those around him who did not have his foresight.
On postings, personally, I do try not to over-do it, but when something needs to be said, a point of view supported, or when a remainer is under some misapprehension and needs to be corrected, it’s our duty to act. We don’t get paid for it, we do it out of conviction, and I am sure I speak for others when I say we are grateful to JR for the opportunity.
Tad
Rien Huizer December 15, 2017
Is everyone who disagrees a “remainer”? Like an “Enemy of the People”? to you?
Tad Davison December 16, 2017
I do appreciate it when people read my posts, it helps to change the minds of the misguided. When there are legitimate questions asked of me, I do, (with John’s permission as he’s the final arbiter) try to answer them. But how in the hell does what you wrote, relate to what I wrote?
In a spirit of helpfulness, and to put this into context, I will do my best to put your right.
There are those who are otherwise decent honest people who voted remain because they were frightened by the BS they were fed by politicians and broadcasters alike. They are not my enemy, they just need the benefit of an accurate counter narrative.
At the other end of the spectrum, are the cynical remainers who have a hidden agenda and peddle the aforementioned BS in order to skew things their way. They wish us to belong to the EU in perpetuity and would have the UK subsumed by it. Under the EU heel, this nation would effectively lose its identity and right to self-determination by its own elected parliament. It would merely be a constituent part of a foreign undemocratic political entity the direction of which the UK had no real control. These are the dangerous ones. An enemy of the people? You bet they are!
Tad Davison
Cambridge
zorro December 15, 2017
Good lateral thinking – like it…. šš. They certainly speak a language I find difficult to comprehend!
zorro
ferdinand December 15, 2017
Quite right. It doesn’t take many words to express a point of view or register a comment.
Eh? December 16, 2017
Eh?
Dennis December 15, 2017
JR also deletes very short relevant posts with no links or anything else to check.
ksb December 16, 2017
This appears to have slipped through the net however…
JR, are you paying attention, you’re ruining his point!
Please, therefore, be more honest with this site. If our posts may be deleted because of lack of time and resources, that is quite acceptable. To say that our comments are ”awaiting moderation” when we know that we are being very ”moderate” is frustrating. I wish you well, but please don’t invite comments. Perhaps it’s better that you don’t or people may feel you are being choosy for your own reasons.
Oscar Wilde December 16, 2017
@Linda Jones
I always write comments for my own pleasure. In many ways it is a personal triumph
they are deemed inappropriate to publish them for such a witless ungrateful mean populace
forthurst December 16, 2017
Until JR has read a comment he would be unaware as to how ‘moderate’ it was and don’t forget that “in a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act” which is where we are at.
old salt December 15, 2017
Our kind host has advised more than once on the subject with increasing frequency. If commenters appreciate the very valuable facility freely given then why not restrict to a given number of characters in order to reduce the workload to enable parliamentary duties to be performed more efficiently including this Diary. Otherwise I fear we might lose the facility altogether.
ChrisShalford December 15, 2017
I agree. There are only so many hours in the day. Also many of the comments have little to do with the subject of John’s post.
Narrow Shoulders December 15, 2017
In several years I have only had two posts deleted. Annoying but I hope read before trashed and that is the point.
Ian Pennell December 17, 2017
@ Narrow Shoulders; I have had a few postings deleted recently: Admittedly there were six or seven paragraphs in a few of them but (like yourself) I trust that the Right Hon John Redwood, MP does at least read what I have to say and acknowledges the contents before deleting them. The subject of my recent posts – and I only reply as per the Topic du-Jour – has covered the apparent weakness of Theresa May, the fact that she has been the first to blink in both EU negotiations and dealings with Remainer Conservative MPs. I am naturally very concerned that the Government seems to be ceding ground to the soft Left and to Remainers’ demands with each battle and confrontation – rather than facing them down!
As one who really believes Britain should cut all ties with the European Union – and soon, and being concerned at other Lefty Statist encroachments such as Leveson 2- I value the ability to communicate my real concerns to a genuine Conservative MP who, if he really does what he can, can influence the direction of Theresa May’s Government. Whether what I post gets published is a secondary point, though it is a bonus!
Parliamentary Convention has it that MPs do not respond to (or act on) correspondence from members of the general public who are not their Constituents. I value being able to write to my own MP (whom I am happy to say is a Conservative), but John Redwood’s excellent diary – with comments for each post that he checks before posting – does provide me with a means of amplifying my concerns about Government policy to more than one MP!
Writing to Theresa May herself I find to be a complete waste of time. It’s all filtered by No 10 Secretaries who (may) send back a pat template response.
Perhaps Mr Redwood would enlighten us on a way of getting through to the Prime Minister, or members of the Cabinet, so that correspondence actually reaches them! That would be better still.
December 14, 2017
What exactly is the purpose of your web-site then? OK; I know that every MP most wants to get on television as often as possible; a social media site such as this one, is as good a way as any of attracting media producers
You have attracted a regular couple of dozen ultra right-wing commenters, whose uneducated, simplistic, repetitive rantings, are daily being exposed for exactly what they are; thus doing your “leave” campaign, no favours whatsoever.
December 15, 2017
What an incredibly offensive post! I read articles here about matters that interest or concern me, and am grateful for John’s expertise and clarity, as I believe are many others.
No-one is forcing you to read this blog, and many might find it improved without your
frequent rudeness.
December 15, 2017
Oooh, my antenna is twitching over this one! What better way to rally the troops when things are going badly than to post a contribution guaranteed to offend as first reply on the list, and then sit back and wait for the regulars to react with predictable apoplectic fits?
Controversy sparks interest – any newspaper editor will tell you that – and a good editor knows his readers.
December 15, 2017
Interestingly I thought that the multiple postings complaint referred to the ultra right wing posters. The middle of the road and lefties tend to hit and run on this site.
To answer the point about the site from my own perspective is that I get to express an opinion to one of only 650 people who legislate.
I hope that my contributions are worthy of reflection for the MP. I am less concerned about the readership.
December 15, 2017
For “ultra right-wing” read normal, mainstream views….. The Socialist left wing of the Tory party is now the real danger in the UK.
December 15, 2017
you show us pdf’s of your exam certificates and we will show you ours
uneducated, lol
right and left wing doesnt adequately capture the wide range of views
I can guarantee the majority view of the British public is closer to my views than anything in the main stream media, or expressed by any MP
December 15, 2017
Ultra right wing? who are you accusing of that? I read this blog every day and I want to know who you consider ultra right wing? I don’t read any Ultra Right Wing posts! Just what is that accusation, someone diametrically opposed to just you and your version of life?
December 15, 2017
@acorn: indeed. Informative, well reasoned posts from a mainstream economics perspective are deleted or passed through very late. Unless mr Redwood wants only comments that are emotional and correspond with the tendencies he wants to stimulate he should be glad that a few people take the trouble to disagree with him or with his loyal followers. That makes for a noteworthy blog, rather than an “echo chamber”. You and a few others are hardly far from the conservative or classical liberal mainstream.
December 15, 2017
Exactly so Rien. But I and a few others are trying to educate the UK populace on how the economy actually works; and, how to make it work much better for the little people and not just the 1% elite, to which, the Conservative party is permanently tethered.
Thatcher said there is no such thing as society. Her disciples in the current Conservative Party, have spent the last three decades making sure of it.
December 16, 2017
You might benefit from some education yourself, acorn, first of all by reading the full article in which Mrs Thatcher made clear her preference for wider societal responsibility.
December 16, 2017
A frequent misquote of Mrs Thatcherās words. The key point she was making is that āsocietyā is made up of individuals. Utopian policies aimed at āsocietyā which ignore the importanceās of individual preferences and responsibilities are what led to the disaster of socialism,communism, fascism etc. It seems you are not very well equipped to educate society if you are ignorant of the proper context for your misquote.
December 15, 2017
Ultra right-wing? I’m not sure I’ve ever read a comment that would fit into this category, and I’m sure JR would consider such behavior objectionable.
There are certainly regular centre-right, right and libertarian contributors (naming no names), along with more progressive, statist leaning people.
To devolve the political landscape to simple ‘agree with me’ or ‘ultra right-wing’ is naive and obstructive. Sure you may not agree with JR’s politics but that is an opportunity to debate and challenge, rather than name call and dismiss.
As for the suggestion that the site is merely to attract the attention of TV producers, I’d suggest that John would have given up years ago if that were the case as the effort/reward ratio would be terrible given the relative lack of invites to said medium.
/rant
December 16, 2017
@acorn
I’m said to be an ultra right-wing extremist. All my teachers were leftie liberals , anarchists, socialists and communists by their own boast. The fact they made me aware of their politics so readily, tells its own story…well the headline of one of the stories I’m writing anyway. Our teaching profession do so much harm…and they are so intolerant.
December 14, 2017
John,
O/T but just watching Sky and am totally and utterly gobsmacked…to say the least
Do you agree with Sarah Wollaston that we wouldnāt be able to access certain drugs if there isnāt a soft Brexit or do you think that she is somewhat āmisledā and potentially talking absolute rubbish?
Iām holding back on what I would like to say, but really…?
What on earth is she talking about??
December 16, 2017
All these remoaners have been given proper detailed replies repeatedly …
December 16, 2017
All these things, flights to Europe, medicines, access to parts for manufacturers, will have to be negotiated and UK rules have do be adapted to the new circumstances. The problem is, no one knows what those circumstances will be, when the change will start (and if, there is still a possibility that very little will change and the range has narrowed) and how long it will take. In fact, we know virtually nothing, except that continued EU membership is virtually unattainable (90% Uk problems, 10% EU) and likewise, no one in Europe wants a UK that swings to one of the extremes: the sweatshop or the closed shop. So there is some leverage for moderates and you see that in action by the clever “bumbling” of May and Davis. They deserve statues. Much more important than Nelson imo.
December 14, 2017
As I get older I cannot cope with hype,remarks made to try and undermine or ridicule others and general stupidity . I still enjoy learning though and am comfortable having John’s blogs in my life even though sometimes I do not agree. The attitude which has given him the nickname ‘The vulcan’ sits well with myself.
December 14, 2017
The BBC says Mrs May ‘s dessert for her EU dinner is “Festive Log” which I guess is a Yuletide Log but in PC-Speak. If they’re having turkey as the meat dish they have probably renamed it Seasonal Fowl. Anyway, I’m having a a bit of duck for Christmas.
December 14, 2017
I gather that my family is opting for a rib of beef having rejected my plea for a haunch of venison…I daresay we’ll all get along, unlike our old chums in the r27 of the EU.
December 15, 2017
Call me an old rebel, but I’ve long thought turkey over-rated; we’re having a properly cured ham.
Dr. Redwood, suggested topic: ‘Why is the parliamentary Tory Party it own worst opposition?’.
December 14, 2017
āI have just had to delete a number of these as I do not have time to check them all out.ā
Good man.
Although I admit I have posted more than once on some topics, it did seem the usual suspects were still firing off multiple replies without hindrance.
It is a shame that others who feel they have something to say are discouraged by the moderation they encounter.
December 14, 2017
The attitude which has given him the nickname āThe vulcanā
…
I would rather be a Vulcan than an EU Cling-on.
Perhaps thats what we should call the Remoaners now? The Klingons.
December 15, 2017
@SOS; “Perhaps thats what we should call the Remoaners now? The Klingons.”
What ever rocks your boat! I suspect, though, Brexiteers would soon be known as “Klangers” by reply….
Back on-topic… I take your comment about “attachments” to be a request not to post URL’s (that you then need to check), and that you prefer -in parliamentary parlance- interventions rather than full blown speeches?
December 16, 2017
Or comments…
December 15, 2017
I was always offended by that label, and felt it was a rude and unnecessary attempt to diminish JR in the eyes of the public, but it does also have positive connotations. The most famous son of Vulcan was extremely logical and of a far higher intellect than those around him who did not have his foresight.
On postings, personally, I do try not to over-do it, but when something needs to be said, a point of view supported, or when a remainer is under some misapprehension and needs to be corrected, it’s our duty to act. We don’t get paid for it, we do it out of conviction, and I am sure I speak for others when I say we are grateful to JR for the opportunity.
Tad
December 15, 2017
Is everyone who disagrees a “remainer”? Like an “Enemy of the People”? to you?
December 16, 2017
I do appreciate it when people read my posts, it helps to change the minds of the misguided. When there are legitimate questions asked of me, I do, (with John’s permission as he’s the final arbiter) try to answer them. But how in the hell does what you wrote, relate to what I wrote?
In a spirit of helpfulness, and to put this into context, I will do my best to put your right.
There are those who are otherwise decent honest people who voted remain because they were frightened by the BS they were fed by politicians and broadcasters alike. They are not my enemy, they just need the benefit of an accurate counter narrative.
At the other end of the spectrum, are the cynical remainers who have a hidden agenda and peddle the aforementioned BS in order to skew things their way. They wish us to belong to the EU in perpetuity and would have the UK subsumed by it. Under the EU heel, this nation would effectively lose its identity and right to self-determination by its own elected parliament. It would merely be a constituent part of a foreign undemocratic political entity the direction of which the UK had no real control. These are the dangerous ones. An enemy of the people? You bet they are!
Tad Davison
Cambridge
December 15, 2017
Good lateral thinking – like it…. šš. They certainly speak a language I find difficult to comprehend!
zorro
December 15, 2017
Quite right. It doesn’t take many words to express a point of view or register a comment.
December 16, 2017
Eh?
December 15, 2017
JR also deletes very short relevant posts with no links or anything else to check.
December 16, 2017
This appears to have slipped through the net however…
JR, are you paying attention, you’re ruining his point!
December 15, 2017
Please, therefore, be more honest with this site. If our posts may be deleted because of lack of time and resources, that is quite acceptable. To say that our comments are ”awaiting moderation” when we know that we are being very ”moderate” is frustrating. I wish you well, but please don’t invite comments. Perhaps it’s better that you don’t or people may feel you are being choosy for your own reasons.
December 16, 2017
@Linda Jones
I always write comments for my own pleasure. In many ways it is a personal triumph
they are deemed inappropriate to publish them for such a witless ungrateful mean populace
December 16, 2017
Until JR has read a comment he would be unaware as to how ‘moderate’ it was and don’t forget that “in a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act” which is where we are at.
December 15, 2017
Our kind host has advised more than once on the subject with increasing frequency. If commenters appreciate the very valuable facility freely given then why not restrict to a given number of characters in order to reduce the workload to enable parliamentary duties to be performed more efficiently including this Diary. Otherwise I fear we might lose the facility altogether.
December 15, 2017
I agree. There are only so many hours in the day. Also many of the comments have little to do with the subject of John’s post.
December 15, 2017
In several years I have only had two posts deleted. Annoying but I hope read before trashed and that is the point.
December 17, 2017
@ Narrow Shoulders; I have had a few postings deleted recently: Admittedly there were six or seven paragraphs in a few of them but (like yourself) I trust that the Right Hon John Redwood, MP does at least read what I have to say and acknowledges the contents before deleting them. The subject of my recent posts – and I only reply as per the Topic du-Jour – has covered the apparent weakness of Theresa May, the fact that she has been the first to blink in both EU negotiations and dealings with Remainer Conservative MPs. I am naturally very concerned that the Government seems to be ceding ground to the soft Left and to Remainers’ demands with each battle and confrontation – rather than facing them down!
As one who really believes Britain should cut all ties with the European Union – and soon, and being concerned at other Lefty Statist encroachments such as Leveson 2- I value the ability to communicate my real concerns to a genuine Conservative MP who, if he really does what he can, can influence the direction of Theresa May’s Government. Whether what I post gets published is a secondary point, though it is a bonus!
Parliamentary Convention has it that MPs do not respond to (or act on) correspondence from members of the general public who are not their Constituents. I value being able to write to my own MP (whom I am happy to say is a Conservative), but John Redwood’s excellent diary – with comments for each post that he checks before posting – does provide me with a means of amplifying my concerns about Government policy to more than one MP!
Writing to Theresa May herself I find to be a complete waste of time. It’s all filtered by No 10 Secretaries who (may) send back a pat template response.
Perhaps Mr Redwood would enlighten us on a way of getting through to the Prime Minister, or members of the Cabinet, so that correspondence actually reaches them! That would be better still.
Ian Pennell