Love and Sex across political barriers?

[sally]

I have been wondering what you would think if two people from complete opposite ends of the political spectrum were to meet, fall in love, have and affair or even get married? For example imagine Boris Johnson and Clare Solomon of SOAS? What do you think the media reaction might be (just pretend he's not already married)? Do you think that they would both lose the respect of their peers if they were with someone who held such different political views to them? Do you think it could work? Do you think that there might even be an extra bit of attraction and or excitment by being with someone you shouldn't be?

In reality I guess John Bercow is a conservative and his wife is labour but they are not really so far apart not like what I suggested above.

Please let me know what you think???


P.S. Apologies to Clare Solomon for the above example!!

[Dimentio]

I once snogged a girl who for a period was a nazi. :lol:

Pretty funny, since I'm half-latino with Native American and black blood in my veins.

[Invincible Summer]

Um, I'm not sure who you're talking about at all, and it sorta sounds like tabloid material tbh.

But I do think that it's possible for people from opposite sides of the political spectrum to fall in love. I think it's more unlikely, as one's political views shape one's world view (and thus conversation about certain issues would reveal true colors), but possible. I know some couples who don't talk about their politics at all, but when it's brought up (in a group setting) you can tell they are on opposite sides and it's awkward.

I think it's even more unlikely if you go to the "extremes" with a communist and a fascist dating or whatever. They're in completely different social networks.

I was considering asking this girl out once, but then one day I talked to her and she was talking about attending a Conservative Party of Canada convention and volunteering for a church camp so I was pretty much turned way off from then

[leftace53]

One of my biggest fears in life is accidentally sleeping with a right wing. So no inter-politico-relations for me.

[Wanted Man]

Of course it would work. Who cares?

[Crux]

I only sleep with cadre-material.

[Foldered]

I don't see any issues with someone loving someone who does not share the same beliefs as them.

That being said, I would have a hard time putting up with someone who holds opposite beliefs and is incredibly stubborn, but I wouldn't want to be with someone like that in the first place.

[sally]

Um, I'm not sure who you're talking about at all, and it sorta sounds like tabloid material tbh.

But I do think that it's possible for people from opposite sides of the political spectrum to fall in love. I think it's more unlikely, as one's political views shape one's world view (and thus conversation about certain issues would reveal true colors), but possible. I know some couples who don't talk about their politics at all, but when it's brought up (in a group setting) you can tell they are on opposite sides and it's awkward.

I think it's even more unlikely if you go to the "extremes" with a communist and a fascist dating or whatever. They're in completely different social networks.

I was considering asking this girl out once, but then one day I talked to her and she was talking about attending a Conservative Party of Canada convention and volunteering for a church camp so I was pretty much turned way off from then

Boris Johnson is the staunch Tory mayor of London and Clare Solomon is the ultra left wing (ex-SWP) president elect of the University of London Student Union.

I was just wondering and again it'a just an imaginary example but if say they met and fell in love, got married etc how would that affect their political careers, standing among their peers etc? Rather than perhaps could a lefty date a tory as it applies to most of us.

Personally I think it would have an negative impact and that they would both be seen as sleeping with the enemy to an extent it would call into question their loyalty to their respective parties for example if a person with very strong left wing views was married to David Cameron how would that person feel supporting their husband on the campain trail if the policies he was pushing were to her corrupt and wrong? I think I would find it hard to keep my mouth shut. Ultimately it comes down to your personal values and I'd find it hard to stand by someone who's values were so out of step with my own, especially if they had any real power to implement them.

I guess it is possible that for ordinary folk politics can be put aside for love but one of my closest friends is a boy who goes to private school, his parents are very middle class and while I really like him he does say things now and again which betray his middle class upbringing and values and it kind of grates on me a bit, like I feel the discord between us on the front where as I never feel that with my boyfriend who is working class like me and has solid left wing values and beliefs.

[sally]

Of course it would work. Who cares?

Sorry I didn't really word my question well. I wasn't really asking could a lefty love a tory as of course that can happen what I was really asking is do you think a high profile even powerful tory like Boris Johnson or David Cameron could have a successful relationship with a prominent left wing activist like Clare Solomon for example.

[Sam_b]

P.S. Apologies to Clare Solomon for the above example!!

So you bloody should be. What a nonsense thread.

[sally]

So you bloody should be. What a nonsense thread.

Sorry I do feel bad about that example especially as she is one of my heros but it is the best example of what I am trying to ask. It may seem stupid to you but I am only in 2nd year at high school and it was just something I was thinking about during the election and recently, like how would it feel, could it work and what effects would it have if a situation like that came about and how difficult it would be for a spouse of a politician if they held very different view from their partner to stand by them. I know it's not really a concrete question but I did ask it in chat and it interests me to know peoples views.

[Sam_b]

My view is that sexual and intimiate relationships between two people are absolutely none of my (or your) business.

[sally]

My view is that sexual and intimiate relationships between two people are absolutely none of my (or your) business.

I know but I'm not really asking about a real situation and without a doubt if a well known ultra left wing activist or writer etc started dating a high profile tory it would cause a stir, don't you think?

[Sam_b]

if a well known ultra left wing activist or writer etc started dating a high profile tory

it would be nobody's business.

[Wanted Man]

Sorry I didn't really word my question well. I wasn't really asking could a lefty love a tory as of course that can happen what I was really asking is do you think a high profile even powerful tory like Boris Johnson or David Cameron could have a successful relationship with a prominent left wing activist like Clare Solomon for example.

I still think yes. Of course some people would find it funny, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be the first time. The reason for this is the same reason why these things can work out in general: if they don't get in each other's face about it, and it doesn't cause a conflict of interest, it is entirely up to them.

I'm not saying that different parts of one's life can be sharply divided from one another as if there were no interrelation between the two, but in this case, I simply cannot see it being a major issue. It would be kind of funny if they desperately sought to hide it and The Sun found out or something.

[sally]

I still think yes. Of course some people would find it funny, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be the first time. The reason for this is the same reason why these things can work out in general: if they don't get in each other's face about it, and it doesn't cause a conflict of interest, it is entirely up to them.

I'm not saying that different parts of one's life can be sharply divided from one another as if there were no interrelation between the two, but in this case, I simply cannot see it being a major issue. It would be kind of funny if they desperately sought to hide it and The Sun found out or something.


Really interesting! I think I need to examine my prejudices on this matter as I would find it hard to bear and of course if two people are mature about something then there is no reason it shouldn't work.

Thanks for the answers and would still be interested to hear what others have to say.

[lombas]

My GF isn't interested in politics at all. So what?

[Quail]

I don't think I'd be able to go out with someone who was massively right wing because some disagreements I can live with, but someone on the other side of the political spectrum would have such a different world view that I think I would find it a turn off. My boyfriend is also revleft member.

[sally]

My GF isn't interested in politics at all. So what?

Hi sorry my question wasn't well asked I was more interested in hearing people views about what it might be like if a high profile righty was romantically involved with a high profile lefty rather than just could you date someone who wasn't left wing etc.

What do you think?

[Raúl Duke]

I only sleep with cadre-material.

hahaha :thumbup1:

On topic at hand...ehh...idk depends on the difference. I don't think it will work out with an out-right nazi/fascist but I have no qualms with conservatives/Republicans as long as they're not the Jesus-Freak types.

[Saorsa]

Love is bourgeois

[Crux]

hahaha :thumbup1:

On topic at hand...ehh...idk depends on the difference. I don't think it will work out with an out-right nazi/fascist but I have no qualms with conservatives/Republicans as long as they're not the Jesus-Freak types.
Sorry, I meant to say NAZIS, I only sleep with nazis. They're all in the closet anyhow. And yes that would make for some awesome tabloid material. There's just something about sodomizing the fash I can't shake...

And would I bang a high-profile right wing politician? If the opportunity arise, why pass? It would make for a great story.

[Crux]

Love is bourgeois
Your mom is bourgeois.

[Foldered]

What do you think?
If it's just about high profile politicians then I think it doesn't matter.

Why ask a bunch of people on a leftist website if they think a right wing politician dating a left winger would cause a scandal? Yes, it might cause a scandal, but who cares, what even is a scandal, and why does it matter?

[sally]

If it's just about high profile politicians then I think it doesn't matter.

Why ask a bunch of people on a leftist website if they think a right wing politician dating a left winger would cause a scandal? Yes, it might cause a scandal, but who cares, what even is a scandal, and why does it matter?

I am just personally interested thats all I am not really aware of it happening. John Bercow is married to an active Labour member but he is considered quite centre right and labour are centre left so it's much of a muchness.

I'd be interested to see what impact a relationship with a left wing activist would have on a tory politicians career that is all. Perhaps it would be a positive thing or perhaps it would damage both their credibility. For example would a socialist activist be trusted by her peers if she were going home every night to Boris Johnson or George Osborne?

[Saorsa]

Your mom is bourgeois.

I love your mum

[leftace53]

I didn't know there were high profile lefties out there :blink:

[CountryKid]

Oh.


I just want a cute SS guy to strike me with his rod. Their uniforms are so sexy. Give me a pink star hun, just promise you will hold me afterwards.

[the last donut of the night]

i only sleep with members of the now basically defunct brazilian PCB, so i dont get much action

however, hoxhaists are great in bed. guess all those bunkers payed off in some way

[Animal Farm Pig]

Democratic consultant James Carville (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Carville) is married to Republican consultant Mary Matalin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Matalin). That's the best example of a "high profile" couple that I can think of. They're both from the same party as far as I am concerned.

I married a right winger once. Politics actually turned out to be a major problem. I wanted to use my life to improve the world. She wanted to live a comfortable petty bourgeois life. For a while, we were able to do both, but when it came time to make some difficult choices, we had to part ways. She wasn't willing to sacrifice the easy life, and I wasn't willing to sacrifice my values. It was painful, but it was for the best.

Now, I date another lefty. We have some political disagreements, but we both agree on what's important-- what we want to do with our time here on earth.

[Invincible Summer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg7qdowoemo

[Saorsa]

I don't even need to watch the video, Slavy's face with that title is hilarious enough for me :-)

[RHIZOMES]

My girlfriend is a far leftist so I don't have this problem. Every now and again we have a minor spat over religion and spirituality though since she's a neo-pagan.

[Angry Young Man]

Fuck a conservative by all means. Never start a relationship with one. Every time the news comes on, you'll be furiously fighting.

[al8]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg7qdowoemo

I hate how Slavoy substitutes s-sounds with hl-ones. His generally garbled, disconnected, self-important academic way of talking is also exceedingly obnoxious; I call thihl love. However there ihl this hltructural imbalanhle you hlee. Ihl ihl not like it ihl ithl form, because either I'm indifferent to the forld or I'm hlort of neiter inbetween. Thihl ihl a fundamental abhlurdity, not becauhle on the one hand we have the thihl thing, but becauhle on the other and we don't have it in a way by hlpontaniouhl affinity.

Focking annoying! Argh!

[ed miliband]

I really find it both odd and hilarious that the person who started this thread talks of 'Clare Solomon of SOAS' like everyone on the board is going to know exactly who she is. Who is she? If you're going to use examples it's useful to make sure they're more or less universal.

[Sasha]

i once (while i was 17!) slept with an vice cop...