[howard]

I think Bill’s comments have hit a nail, and I hope it is not on my hand.  Let’s advocate higher wages for footballers…The art of communications is not simply to repeat and repeat what you have said until it goes in: it involves taking into account the language of the audience.  Surely we are not some English tourist who just shouts in English when not understood…May I ask everyone to reflect on the success this party has had in 111 years. Keeping our virginity is all very well but at some point it would helpful to procreate – imagine, one day we might even have…wait for it…more members [AAAAAAAARGH!]. It is a waste of time talking over everyone’s head, and in my view a turn off to most people to quote Marx every so often [are our arguments worse if we don’t? will we go to hell? Who is it for?].  Frankly who cares what he said – I thought it was the case not the face/holy name.30 years as a teacher taught me that you have to take people from where they are; you don’t start from where you are. Learners often take small steps approximating to where you want them to be.  It may be cosy for some to stay in a puritanical sect but I think political change is far too important for that. Not sure about you but I’m not sure the environment can wait either. I think this campaign has been really instructive and seeing people start to question their assumptions is very rewarding.  Sneering at the likes of Brand might be fun and gratifying but perhaps he has got many to ask questions that otherwise they would not have: yes he’s a twit but then possibly so are some members of this party; so are many members of the human race that apparently we are so concerned about.If our message is that good, just getting people to ask questions should bring them round – or do we actually have doubts about it? Are we scared that in fact they might go the ‘wrong way’? Are we in fact a bit worried about them – they can’t think for themselves…I have a bit more faith – perhaps misplaced – but anyway that’s my starting point. I think a sharp bit of soul searching after this election would do the party good…,oooh sorry, I mentioned soul, which I am sure someone will tell me is heresy

[howard]

fair comment.  to explain, i think i start from not wishing to alienate people unnecessarily [we're against alienation, right?]. yes i didn't give him both barrells of sigh of the oppressed beast, etc, rather stressed areas that we might have in common and try to move forward from these.  It doesn't strike me as sensible for those who advocate collaboration and cooperation to be constantly emphasising what sets up apart. I suspect gaining adherents to our cause is not a case of lots of Damascene conversions. My inclination is that [as with some of our extant members] they may come from what i dare to call fellow travellers.  

[Author]

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