Michael Foot

[firbeck 859]

It's just been announced that Michael Foot has died, it's interesting to hear the false platitudes being chucked around by other politicians. Personally, I always thought he was on an unreachable artificial socialist planet, it's sole survivor being the at least likeable Tony Benn, no doubt we'll be seeing a lot of him on the news tonight, I have a feeling that Mr Foot had few supporters on here, especially those that remember his Cenotaph cock up that didn't appeal to Fuhrer Herr Von Thatcher.

[zab 47]

Always admired Michael Foot - my sort of politician; a great writer and idealist, somebody who was honest, had values and went into politics to serve the people he represented. He was also a real socialist unlike much of the Labour Party today. He'll be missed.

[rob237 89]

Have to agree with every word of zab's excellent summary...

His writings remain the most enthralling of any modern political author, whatever your own allegiance.

Like many Socialists of his generation, remained totally committed to his beliefs.

More than can be said for many of his Tory contemporaries or the Socialists of today!

By coincidence, his infamous Cenotaph duffel coat was put on display last week.

Actually quite a smart buttoned version - not one of the dreadful pegged styles.

The event was perhaps an early indication of how the London gutter press would eventually become the self-appointed 'destroyers' in today's society.

Cheers

Robt P.

[dez 0]

a good and honest man, how many of the crooks in the house commons can say that about themselves

[EileenH 496]

I always admired him - and the row that erupted over his choice of coat at the cenotaph was a disgrace.

It was a decent black overcoat, not a 'donkey jacket' as was reported in the gutter press.

But I often wondered. If it had been a donkey jacket or duffle coat, how would that have meant a lack of respect?

Does respect reside in a designer suit?

Apart from that though, am I having a senior moment or was the late writer Paul Foot his son?

[mick2me 3,033]

I echo what Dez sez.

For those who gave their lives, it would mean more to them to know Michael was there, however he was dressed.

[rob237 89]

...am I having a senior moment or was the late writer Paul Foot his son?

'Senior moment', I reckon. He and his wife of 50 years, Jill Craigie, had no children.

Well known for his famous trio of brothers, Hugh, John and the superbly named Dingle.

All top men in their particular fields and all outstanding Oxbridge students...

Excellent, in depth, obit' in today's Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7048130.ece

Cheers

Robt P.

[firbeck 859]

Yes, Michael Foot was a great writer and Socialist thinker, but no way had he got the charisma to lead the Labour Party against Thatcher, he was from another idealistic time and place, the Cenotaph incident summed him up, it wasn't all about the coat, quite frankly he seemed embarresed at being there, shuffling about with his head down, but then he was a known pacifist, nothing wrong with that, except that it was cannon fodder for Madam T at the time.

The leadership should have been given to Tony Benn, a good old Essex boy and former Spitfire pilot, though I suspect his former life as Lord Stansgate worked against him.

For my dear friends Jenny and Steve from Earby who will no doubt read this, remember the Chesterfield Miners Fete when Tony Benn met our Ed Ruggles-Brise, a great embarresment to the family!!!

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