1. PatNInterupt asked Matthew Taylor: "It concerns me greatly that, as has often happened in history, society seems to be splintering rapidly into a tribal mentality as the economic downturn accelerates. Every day in the media and on the ..." Show more »"It concerns me greatly that, as has often happened in history, society seems to be splintering rapidly into a tribal mentality as the economic downturn accelerates. Every day in the media and on the web I see vitriolic abuse from all corners of society aimed at 'bankers'; a 'People vs Bankers' snowball fight recently highlighting a situation that had me thinking of 'Lord of The Flies'. To what extent do you think the government have nurtured this blame culture in an effort to deflect criticism for their own errors, and pander to a disillusioned voting public? And, as the Metropolitan Police warn of 'A Summer of Rage' , to what extent do you think the government should be working actively to create a society of people prepared to work together to get through the downturn rather than turn on each other? Finally, can the government fight 'the mob' or are we doomed to be ruled by it?" Show less »
2. Matthew Taylor answer: "Click "play" to view."
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5. 2 comments   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Mar 16 2009 2:57:00 PM

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7. PatNInterupt asked Lord Mandelson: "We keep being reminded by world leaders that the mistakes of protectionism will not be repeated, but everything governments around the world (including the UK) are doing in terms of trying to restore ..." Show more »"We keep being reminded by world leaders that the mistakes of protectionism will not be repeated, but everything governments around the world (including the UK) are doing in terms of trying to restore the credit mechanism and subsidising industries, relies on there being explicit or implicit limitations on who or where that money is lent and spent - i.e. domestically. Can you please explain why this is not protectionism?" Show less »
8. Lord Mandelson answer: "Theo Paphitis worded this question about "protectionsism" in his own way."
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11. 1 comment   |  Topic: World Affairs   |   Email to friends   |   Mar 13 2009 1:41:41 PM

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13. PatNInterupt asked Brendan Barber: "Given that union membership could be regarded as placing a tax on consumers by raising the cost of production, shouldn't all union members in the UK be morally bound *not* to reduce their shopping bills..." Show more »"Given that union membership could be regarded as placing a tax on consumers by raising the cost of production, shouldn't all union members in the UK be morally bound *not* to reduce their shopping bills by buying more cheaply produced goods or service from non-unionised businesses in the UK or overseas? It's easy to be moral when it doesn't cost you money, and you can't have it both ways surely?" Show less »
14. Brendan Barber answer: "click "play" to view"
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17. 1 comment   |  Topic: World Affairs   |   Email to friends   |   Mar 11 2009 3:17:04 PM

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19. PatNInterupt asked Brendan Barber: "Can you explain why the trades union movement has continued to support a government whose policies have actively and deliberately caused the expropriation and transfer of relative wealth and purcahsing..." Show more »"Can you explain why the trades union movement has continued to support a government whose policies have actively and deliberately caused the expropriation and transfer of relative wealth and purcahsing power from the non-property-owning class to the speculative property-owning-class, to an extent that would make Margaret Thatcher blush with shame?" Show less »
20. Brendan Barber answer: "Click "play" to view"
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23. 1 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Mar 11 2009 8:04:37 AM

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