Cameron in Rwanda

[Gromit]

David Cameron has come under fire for pressing ahead with his visit to Rwanda while much of his constituency in Witney, Oxon, lies under water after the worst flooding in modern British history.

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/14499 /Revolt+as+Cameron+shuns+flood+crisis+and+flie s+to+Africa

The even the Tory press: Mail, Express and Telegraph are not happy.

Do you think he should have stayed in his constituency or gone ahead with his trip to Africa?

[NJOK]

As much as I find Dave a figure of fun, I think he's been unlucky on this one. The timing has shat on him.

Still funny though.

[MatydaLover]

He was in his constituency yesterday.

[Gromit]

MatydaLover

Just long enough to get a photo.

[Reverandfunk]

Who cares?

[Gromit]

Reverandfunk

I agree, Labour are going a grand job and have done so for the past decade. I think you are right, there is no point in having an effective opposition.

[China Doll]

Mother Nature has comic timing down to a fine art.

[Reverandfunk]

Gromit - Totally agree with you.

It doesn't matter who is in power they're all the same lol.

Fact is what do we expect when we build houses close to rivers i.e., flood plains?

What is the govt meant to do? Send a strongly word letter to god or advise people to start building arks??

People go on about flood defences but would soon grizzle if income tax went up because of it.

[Kromovaracun]

Fact is what do we expect when we build houses close to rivers i.e., flood plains?

Many old settlements have simply developed nearby rivers (such as the capital...), mostly for agricultural (or perhaps economic) reasons. It's very well to criticise that for being out-of-date, but it's easier (and less futile) than uprooting a community and plonking them somewhere which is further from a river...

People go on about flood defences but would soon grizzle if income tax went up because of it.

One set of people would go on about flood defences, another would do the grizzling. I think the majority of folk would be fine with being taxed knowing it was going to helping flood victims.

What is the govt meant to do? Send a strongly word letter to god or advise people to start building arks??

I suppose aid for this kind of think falls within the role of the existing emergency services, so there isn't really that much for the government to do other than scrutinise and administer them.

Should Dave have stayed in his constituency? Well, I don't really see what he could've done there, other than hobnob with those in charge of the emergency services. But from a publicity perspective it was arguably not very wise. And certainly hasn't come at a good time for his leadership, with this alleged VONC proposal.

[ruby27]

No I don't think he should be criticised for going to Rwanda instead of staying in his constituency and doing what in terms of the flood?
In the area of politics I do not agree with him, he no doubt does not agree with me as old labour but , he would be due criticism if he dropped his plans, and probably not just his plans but those of many others, just to seek public favour for an issue close to home.
Like everyone here, I am deeply sympathetic to the plight of those who have been flooded out, but I fail to see how their problems would be meaningfully alleviated by DC's presence.

[nedflanders]

Although sympathetic to flood victims I am sure I would rather have my house flooded and material possessions destroyed than having me and my family hacked to death by my next door neighbour because I was of a different ethniticity albeit it happened a few years ago.
What good would he do in his constituency anyway, probably as much good as he will do to the people he meets in Rwanda?
Sorry but i am in a cynical mood today.