[user104658]

Originally Posted by Livia

TS, your post just says to me that you've never experienced it and are making the scenario up based on your own preconceptions. You're talking about our Parliament. It shouldn't be run like the X Factor for the Twitter generation.

Thats entirely the point though Luvia. Like I said, I personally do find politics interesting and am engaged with it, but it's pretty obvious that the nation's youth is not interested, and that is BECAUSE of how Westminster is generally perceived. The fact that peoples ideas are based on preconceptions - whether they are accurate or not - almost proves the point. Westminster politics is stuffy and insular and doesn't do enough to properly engage the general public. If they did, these preconceptions wouldn't be commonplace.

As you say - it's important to remember that these people are not our betters, they are public servants. But do you honestly believe that the upper tier politicians WANT us to remember that? I'm talking your Thatchers, Camerons, Blairs, Osbournes, and the majority of the "minister for..."s here, not your salt of the earth local MPs who to be fair are often excellent.

I mean really. Come on. If you and I were to stroll up to Dave and George - assuming we didnt get shot for trying - and inform them that they are just public servants and in no way our superiors, can you see them sincerely agreeing? I personally suspect they'd struggle not to snigger.