Forum Topic

Celebrity discounts

Stories about discounted clothi=ng and spectacles (Starmer, Reeves, the Blairs) make me wonder  how this is allowed to go on. These very significant "perks" are going to people who could afford to pay top-whack and run to thusands of pounds  Doesn't sound like democracy.  How does it go down with those who are hard up? Also, what benefits do the suppliers receive in turn for their needless largesse?

Alexander MacLeod ● 1d8 Comments

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/podcasts/in-solidarity-podcast/who-funds-reform-uk-nigel-farage-george-cotrell-podcast/Funding comes in different ways and announcements on policies often follows that funding.

Philippa Bond ●

Back in the day, Sherman Adams was fired as Eisenhower's chief of staff when he accepted an overcoat from a businessman. Times have obviously changed.

Alexander MacLeod ● 8h

Those who are time-short and who don't want the press following them everywhere all the time make use of these services.  These aren't the decisions that we vote for them for - are they - I hope not.  Often shops will open early or late so that their well known customers can shop in privacy.  Just because it's not what you do - doesn't mean it doesn't happen!

Philippa Bond ● 1d

So what do you think the influencers who spend all their time posing in videos on the internet live on then?  It's a way of making a living nowadays whether you like it or not.Just because you don't like what happens doesn't mean it doesn't happen.  Anyway I think you'll find that the MPs involved have paid for the goods they had provided to them.  Just because we have a gutter press always on the lookout for a story doesn't mean what you read or think is accurate!  Lots of influential people get goods provided on a trial basis.  Where have you been?

Philippa Bond ● 1d

Who voted for their representative to be a clothes horse / lifestyle dummy for certain brands? By the time they’ve got elected I presume they’ve got their presentation sorted.The acceptance of gifts, is at best, a pretty pathetic spectacle of what really motivates them.Who gives a monkey whether Harrods’ have personal shoppers or not!

Gerry Boyce ● 1d

Bloody hell Phillipa you've excelled yourself here.If the Prime Minister does not have the expertise or knowledge to buy a suit or some glasses how on  gods good earth does he have the knowledge to run a country.

Andy Pike ● 1d

Load of drivel, Philippa.  
If I knew what products the Blair’s had been given, I am sure I would avoid those brands.  If politicians are being given stuff for free, it means they become even further removed from the day to day reality and hardships of the people they are supposed to represent.

Martine Guy ● 1d

Just because people have money doesn't mean that they have time, knowledge and  expertise in collating a reduced selected number of items to choose from.  Don't big stores like Harrods have or provide 'personal shoppers' who help those pressed for time?I'm sure all companies love to have famous people to be seen wearing their brands - perhaps until they become infamous -  but then they do say there is no such thing as bad publicity.There is so much available on the worldwide market now it is much harder to find out what and where you should be looking to choose from!There is also such a lot of fuss about presentation nowadays with so many different media that presentation becomes more important and there is never-ending criticism and comment on everything.  Some brands have particularly good sustainability goals and better records than others and some use their profits for other altruistic enterprises while with some it's just greenwash.  Price isn't everything.

Philippa Bond ● 1d