[callmejohn]

I just thought that it would be of interest as to why any of us became interested in politics. I am happy to go first, but would be much more interested in other members views, even if it is what made them uninterested in politics.

I first became interested in politics at the age of 7, even although like any other 7 year old, I knew  nothing of politics, other than one very important issue.

While all my able bodied pals were into Thunderbirds and Stingray at the time in the 1960’s, I was a Spina Bifida/Paraplegic who walked on calipers and crutches, with surgical boots attached to my calipers.

Being very active and transferring from a special (disabled) school to a normal school I went through the lifespan of my surgical boots (as they were referred to at that period of time), so my mother asked the surgeon on our scheduled visit for a new pair of boots in 1963. However he said that I could not get a new pair of boots, as I was only allowed a pair every two years and the two year period was not yet up.

Being from a Trade Union background my father made an appointment with the surgeon, who told my father the exact same thing my mother was told, and said his hands were tied. So my father said, well who do we see above you in which the surgeon conceded that I could get a new pair of boots after all. By the way he was a very good and respected surgeon by both my family and the medical profession.

The next time my mother phoned the surgeon’s secretary rather sheepishly asking if I could get a new pair of surgical boots, even though it was within the two year period, the surgeon’s secretary replied “Mrs *****, John can have as many pairs of boots as he needs, now your socialist Government is in”.

That was and in my opinion still is the difference between having a Conservative Government and a Labour Government, the fact that I and many disabled like me, can get access to the medical treatment and supplies they need under a Labour Government. I know that there will be some that will say that they have had good treatment under the Tories.

So that is why I am a Labour supporter, I am paying them back for my surgical boots, although I never really felt I missed out, as I never really liked Thunderbirds or Stingray, anyway, I much preferred the Adam Family at the time, although maybe that just suggests that I was a slightly odd child.

Topic

[Mike 700]

What’s the ‘collective noun’ for a group of politicians?

 

A ‘pack’ of lies!

[Author]

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