Did anyone else think Martin seemed rather timid when reading out his resignation speech? Has he always been like that (seems an odd characteristic for a Speaker) or is it possible the whole expenses scandal has upset him a bit?
Oh here we go, this is what will dominate the BBC news coverage (cus they lift everything off the Mail), Martin’s Pension. He’s entitled to a pension and it shouldn’t be the main issue of discussion on this issue. His expenses weren’t great but they weren’t the worst. And his resignation is more to do with the fact that he didn’t take a lead on the issue as opposed to dodgy claims. The media should be focusing on how the MPs are going to reform the system and the MPs who’ve committed actual fraud.
The fact that Mail focus on what part of Glasgow he’s from is just pure snobbery. Who cares where he’s from? He was an incompetent Speaker no matter where he came from.
The Mail should go into comedy with all its oh-so hilarious nicknames for people (Gorbals, Harriet Harperson etc) – mind you I guess it already IS in comedy, albeit unintentionally…
Today’s story may be driven by snobbery, but it is worth noting that three previous speakers, George Thomas (miner), Bernard Weatherhill (tailor) and Betty Boothroyd (tiller girl) were not exactly blue blooded. Eachj of them, though, held the job of Speaker with distinction.
Sarah, he’s not from The Gorbals. The name ‘gorbals mick’ was invented by Daily Mail sketch writer Quentin Letts. It is a name that combines the snobbery and hatred of someone from working class background, with the sectarian prejudice and hatred of someone is a Catholic. ‘Mick’ is a Scottish/Glasgow derogatory term for a Catholic. Letts knows about these terms because he has worked in Ireland. The article by Letts in today’s paper is vile, from start to finish. In fact, this newspaper is vile.
Two reasons why this front page is utter shit: 1) the “Arise” phrase is used by the Queen when knighting people, not by the House of Lords when it appoints peers.
2) Gorbals is an area on the south side of Glasgow, which was once known for its slums and shipbuilding but is now rather more gentrified. Michael Martin isn’t from Gorbals at all, he’s from Springburn, a good five or six miles away in the north-east of the city. Calling him “Gorbals Mick” is about as accurate as calling someone from Wimbledon a Cockney. Of course, if the Mail’s commentariat ever left the SW postcode area they might know this.
It’s very simple as to why papers like the DM and DE hate Michael Martin, so do their readers. Because he’s an absolute affront to their middle class sensibilities and aspirations.
He’s from a very working class background, but lives a very upper class lifestyle in his Palace of Westminster apartment, meaning they are forced to envy someone they would otherwise enjoy feeling superior to, and they simply can’t handle that so have to destroy him to keep their notions of class hierarchy intact.
As for the MPs, they simply have zero scruples and threw him under a bus as a scapegoat. Fucking bastards. As Mail Man says, I hope he enjoys every penny of his pension.
Ah, so he’s not from Gorbals. The Mail really is stupid.
@ Chris
I never knew that. I knew Scotland had a bad case of the old Catholic/Prod hatred.(It’s why so many people from here in N Ireland move to Scotland lol), but I thought the Scots had the same slang we have. Its weird hearing about other parts of the UK having the same problems we do. I thought we were the only mad ones.
I always find it absolutely bizarre that people in Scotland are happy to make IRA chants inside football grounds, a terrorist organisation that has declared war on their own country, and are not as reviled as British Muslims burning Union Flags outside mosques.
It’s one thing to say “Then move out the fucking country if you hate it so much” to Muslim extremists born here, when those countries are thousands of miles away and grindingly poor and have a different language and political system, so giving them a (selfish and hypocritical) reason to stay, but as for IRA sympathising thugs in Scotland, it’s only a fucking ferry away with all the benefits of living here! What’s their excuse for staying in a society they hate?
“He’s from a very working class background, but lives a very upper class lifestyle in his Palace of Westminster apartment, meaning they are forced to envy someone they would otherwise enjoy feeling superior to, and they simply can’t handle that so have to destroy him to keep their notions of class hierarchy intact.”
As per my earlier comment, I think this a little unfair. George Thomas and Betty Boothroyd were both had a working class background, but each held the office of Speaker with some distinction. Sadly Michael Martin didn’t.
Michael Martin had the problem of being a class tourist, he openly enjoyed the rise in social status, and although he claimed otherwise, his behaviour suggested he did forget his roots. That’s what they nailed him on. He liked the perks and acted as his station suggested, unlike Boothroyd and Thomas, who both behaved humbly in public and private and stayed true to their working class roots.
It’s a minor distinction, but all they need to nail you on.
I always find it absolutely bizarre that people in Glasgow are happy to make IRA chants inside football grounds, a terrorist organisation that has declared war on their own country, and are not as reviled as British Muslims burning Union Flags outside mosques.
It’s one thing to say “Then move out the fucking country if you hate it so much” to Muslim extremists born here, when those countries are thousands of miles away and grindingly poor and have a different language and political system, so giving them a (selfish and hypocritical) reason to stay, but as for IRA sympathising thugs in Glasgow, it’s only a fucking ferry away with all the benefits of living here! What’s their excuse for staying in a society they hate?
Don’t think it’s fair to tar all Scots with the same brush, when it’s really just the one (admittedly even one is too much) city which has the problem!
Sad that NI has moved forward in their bid to see off sectarianism while Glasgow has not.
And yes you’re right, IRA sympathisers are no better that Muslim extremists. Both should just get to fuck.
Sorry Rods, I didn’t mean to tar Scots, I just said people from Scotland to empathise why they aren’t treated the same – because they’re white and British, in the same way the BNP Nazi sympathisers aren’t lumped with Muslim extremists sympathisers because they’re English (not because they’re specifically from Burnley or London)
The Mail have hated Martin ever since he was appointed. Now who is next for a witch hunt?
“Have you heard The Hum?”
seeing as the man hearing it in the photograph looks circa about 1950, i think we’re probably all just used to it by now.
Snobbery’s a ghastly thing, isn’t it?
Did anyone else think Martin seemed rather timid when reading out his resignation speech? Has he always been like that (seems an odd characteristic for a Speaker) or is it possible the whole expenses scandal has upset him a bit?
Oh here we go, this is what will dominate the BBC news coverage (cus they lift everything off the Mail), Martin’s Pension. He’s entitled to a pension and it shouldn’t be the main issue of discussion on this issue. His expenses weren’t great but they weren’t the worst. And his resignation is more to do with the fact that he didn’t take a lead on the issue as opposed to dodgy claims. The media should be focusing on how the MPs are going to reform the system and the MPs who’ve committed actual fraud.
The fact that Mail focus on what part of Glasgow he’s from is just pure snobbery. Who cares where he’s from? He was an incompetent Speaker no matter where he came from.
I think everyone who beleives everything they read in the Mail should take a blood pressure pill.
The Mail should go into comedy with all its oh-so hilarious nicknames for people (Gorbals, Harriet Harperson etc) – mind you I guess it already IS in comedy, albeit unintentionally…
Today’s story may be driven by snobbery, but it is worth noting that three previous speakers, George Thomas (miner), Bernard Weatherhill (tailor) and Betty Boothroyd (tiller girl) were not exactly blue blooded. Eachj of them, though, held the job of Speaker with distinction.
Im probably from the wrong generation, but who is Gorbals? I keep reading it as Goebals!
Sarah, he’s not from The Gorbals. The name ‘gorbals mick’ was invented by Daily Mail sketch writer Quentin Letts. It is a name that combines the snobbery and hatred of someone from working class background, with the sectarian prejudice and hatred of someone is a Catholic. ‘Mick’ is a Scottish/Glasgow derogatory term for a Catholic. Letts knows about these terms because he has worked in Ireland. The article by Letts in today’s paper is vile, from start to finish. In fact, this newspaper is vile.
Gorbals is a Glaswegian slum
Two reasons why this front page is utter shit: 1) the “Arise” phrase is used by the Queen when knighting people, not by the House of Lords when it appoints peers.
2) Gorbals is an area on the south side of Glasgow, which was once known for its slums and shipbuilding but is now rather more gentrified. Michael Martin isn’t from Gorbals at all, he’s from Springburn, a good five or six miles away in the north-east of the city. Calling him “Gorbals Mick” is about as accurate as calling someone from Wimbledon a Cockney. Of course, if the Mail’s commentariat ever left the SW postcode area they might know this.
When will they start referring to Cameron as “Eton Dave”?
Err the Hum that scientists have said is in the mind.
Won’t let Science get in the way of scaring everyone shitless mind, as for a pretty crass headline. And don’t most speakers end up in the Lords.
To be honest looking at previous Lords (Archer) , this bloke doesn’t look so bad.
“seeing as the man hearing it in the photograph looks circa about 1950″
You mean it isn’t 1950?
/Daily Mail reader mentality
I’d love it if Martin spent at least a day every year for the rest of his life giving away £50 notes to whoever he felt like outside the DM’s offices.
F*ck’em Michael, I hope you enjoy every minute of your retirement.
It’s very simple as to why papers like the DM and DE hate Michael Martin, so do their readers. Because he’s an absolute affront to their middle class sensibilities and aspirations.
He’s from a very working class background, but lives a very upper class lifestyle in his Palace of Westminster apartment, meaning they are forced to envy someone they would otherwise enjoy feeling superior to, and they simply can’t handle that so have to destroy him to keep their notions of class hierarchy intact.
As for the MPs, they simply have zero scruples and threw him under a bus as a scapegoat. Fucking bastards. As Mail Man says, I hope he enjoys every penny of his pension.
Ah, so he’s not from Gorbals. The Mail really is stupid.
@ Chris
I never knew that. I knew Scotland had a bad case of the old Catholic/Prod hatred.(It’s why so many people from here in N Ireland move to Scotland lol), but I thought the Scots had the same slang we have. Its weird hearing about other parts of the UK having the same problems we do. I thought we were the only mad ones.
Sarah – Take a look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectarianism_in_Glasgow
I always find it absolutely bizarre that people in Scotland are happy to make IRA chants inside football grounds, a terrorist organisation that has declared war on their own country, and are not as reviled as British Muslims burning Union Flags outside mosques.
It’s one thing to say “Then move out the fucking country if you hate it so much” to Muslim extremists born here, when those countries are thousands of miles away and grindingly poor and have a different language and political system, so giving them a (selfish and hypocritical) reason to stay, but as for IRA sympathising thugs in Scotland, it’s only a fucking ferry away with all the benefits of living here! What’s their excuse for staying in a society they hate?
@Steven
“He’s from a very working class background, but lives a very upper class lifestyle in his Palace of Westminster apartment, meaning they are forced to envy someone they would otherwise enjoy feeling superior to, and they simply can’t handle that so have to destroy him to keep their notions of class hierarchy intact.”
As per my earlier comment, I think this a little unfair. George Thomas and Betty Boothroyd were both had a working class background, but each held the office of Speaker with some distinction. Sadly Michael Martin didn’t.
@TonyB
Thing is, neither ‘got above themselves’
Michael Martin had the problem of being a class tourist, he openly enjoyed the rise in social status, and although he claimed otherwise, his behaviour suggested he did forget his roots. That’s what they nailed him on. He liked the perks and acted as his station suggested, unlike Boothroyd and Thomas, who both behaved humbly in public and private and stayed true to their working class roots.
It’s a minor distinction, but all they need to nail you on.
@Stephen
Felt the need to fix your post:
I always find it absolutely bizarre that people in Glasgow are happy to make IRA chants inside football grounds, a terrorist organisation that has declared war on their own country, and are not as reviled as British Muslims burning Union Flags outside mosques.
It’s one thing to say “Then move out the fucking country if you hate it so much” to Muslim extremists born here, when those countries are thousands of miles away and grindingly poor and have a different language and political system, so giving them a (selfish and hypocritical) reason to stay, but as for IRA sympathising thugs in Glasgow, it’s only a fucking ferry away with all the benefits of living here! What’s their excuse for staying in a society they hate?
Don’t think it’s fair to tar all Scots with the same brush, when it’s really just the one (admittedly even one is too much) city which has the problem!
Sad that NI has moved forward in their bid to see off sectarianism while Glasgow has not.
And yes you’re right, IRA sympathisers are no better that Muslim extremists. Both should just get to fuck.
Sorry Rods, I didn’t mean to tar Scots, I just said people from Scotland to empathise why they aren’t treated the same – because they’re white and British, in the same way the BNP Nazi sympathisers aren’t lumped with Muslim extremists sympathisers because they’re English (not because they’re specifically from Burnley or London)