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Cameron “totally unable to cope with dissenting voices” says ex-adviser

December 14, 2012 12:23 pm

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A former member of David Cameron’s Business Advisory Group has taken Cameron’s handling of the group – in particular the removal of some members – rather badly, telling Sky News:

“The whole process has been abysmally handled. It has been shabby and has fomented a negative attitude to Cameron and suggests that he is totally unable to cope with dissenting voices.”

Remarkably, despite the removal of several business leaders, David Cameron has kept Google Chief Exec Eric Schmidt on the panel – even though he said earlier this week he was “proud” of Google’s tax avoidance schemes.

Nice to see whose advice Cameron values…

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  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

    • jaime taurosangastre candelas

      Is it really necessary to pursue your dislike for someone who merely has different views from you, to the point of making a statement like this as the first comment on a topic? I can see the link you try to make, but actually believe that it is you of the pair of you who is perhaps unable to cope with Alan.

      Alan and I are politically “many miles apart”, and probably both off the “normal” Labour spectrum to left and right, or only tenuously connected at best. But we do not have a difficulty in conversing. He is also interesting on his jazz music, and recollections of a world now mostly passed with proper engineering apprentice-ships. I find it easy to agree with him on that topic, as the need for them is self-evident.

      • aracataca

        According to my recollection you and I have also had no difficulties in ‘conversing’ despite the fact that we disagree on many matters. Indeed I remember last week engaging in a’ conversation’ so to speak about Keynesianism. However,if you had been so grossly misrepresented and subjected to such vile abuse by Giles then you might understand where I am coming from.Difference is the midwife of debate, personal abuse is its undertaker- Would you agree?

      • aracataca

        According to my recollection you and I have also had no difficulties in ‘conversing’ despite the fact that we disagree on many matters. Indeed I remember last week engaging in a’ conversation’ so to speak about Keynesianism. However,if you had been so grossly misrepresented and subjected to such vile abuse by Giles then you might understand where I am coming from.Difference is the midwife of debate, personal abuse is its undertaker- Would you agree?

        • jaime taurosangastre candelas

          Well aracataca, I recall that conversation, and I certainly have no difficulty with conversation with you, as you say despite our differences. Indeed, I am probably closer to your political position that that of Alan’s, but perhaps his gentler tone warms me to his support. I believe by the balance of all his comments that Alan is indeed a person of personal conviction, but that he also has a capacity not given to all of us – and that may include me – to deal with “equanimity” with some fairly robust responses.

          If I have missed some insult to you by Alan that causes you to think this way, I will apologise. I do not suppose everyone reads every post, so somethings can be missed.

          But I have to say, you two do seem to go on at each other quite a lot.

        • jaime taurosangastre candelas

          Well aracataca, I recall that conversation, and I certainly have no difficulty with conversation with you, as you say despite our differences. Indeed, I am probably closer to your political position that that of Alan’s, but perhaps his gentler tone warms me to his support. I believe by the balance of all his comments that Alan is indeed a person of personal conviction, but that he also has a capacity not given to all of us – and that may include me – to deal with “equanimity” with some fairly robust responses.

          If I have missed some insult to you by Alan that causes you to think this way, I will apologise. I do not suppose everyone reads every post, so somethings can be missed.

          But I have to say, you two do seem to go on at each other quite a lot.

    • jaime taurosangastre candelas

      Is it really necessary to pursue your dislike for someone who merely has different views from you, to the point of making a statement like this as the first comment on a topic? I can see the link you try to make, but actually believe that it is you of the pair of you who is perhaps unable to cope with Alan.

      Alan and I are politically “many miles apart”, and probably both off the “normal” Labour spectrum to left and right, or only tenuously connected at best. But we do not have a difficulty in conversing. He is also interesting on his jazz music, and recollections of a world now mostly passed with proper engineering apprentice-ships. I find it easy to agree with him on that topic, as the need for them is self-evident.

  • aracataca

    Rather like Alan Giles.

  • aracataca

    This little episode reconfirms the importance of pluralism.It is a characteristic that our party must never dispense with.

  • aracataca

    This little episode reconfirms the importance of pluralism.It is a characteristic that our party must never dispense with.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Graeme-Hancocks/1156294498 Graeme Hancocks

    Eric Schmidt should have been given the boot for his comments about being “proud” of tax avoidance forthwith. Disgraceful.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001102865655 John Ruddy

      So much for the google motto of “Do no evil”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Graeme-Hancocks/1156294498 Graeme Hancocks

    Eric Schmidt should have been given the boot for his comments about being “proud” of tax avoidance forthwith. Disgraceful.

  • JoeDM

    Well, well, well. A political leader who does not like criticism. Whatever next?

    I wonder if he threw mobile phones a la Crash Gordon.

    See: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-559576/MP-claims-raging-Gordon-breaks-phones-week-hurling-wall.html

    • aracataca

      Ah the Daily Mail – a beacon of sweetness, light, truth and honesty in a dark and dishonest world and the reference is only 4 and a half years old. Who’s in government?

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