I lived there for 4 years in the '80's and I think the only time I had even vaguely political discussions in a pub were during the very short period before an election, and in some pubs near the Old Bailey, or along Fleet Street, or the one pub around Middle Temple.

Now, when I lived in France, we spent a LOT of times in bars and cafes discussing politics . . . .

I think most people in England will simply not discuss at all seriously the things that are really important or sensitive - or not with a stranger (unless they're the incurable egotists who go on bare-it-all daytime TV, and if you meet one of them in a pub, you should run a mile).

In any case, the ins and outs of the current American campaign are not really part of everyday experience here, so you won't get much in the way of interesting comment from a different perspective. I mean, all I know of Sarah Palin is an uncanny resemblance to Karen Walker in "Will and Grace" (and which character does that make McCain?!).

Mind you, you could be welcome in the standard local if you end up in discussion with anyone who really wants to debate UK politics in any detail, because you may well be taking the pub bore off everyone else's hands.

Football, jobs, weather, "bristols", travel, and personal abuse are all common discussions at my favourite haunts - but these discussions are between a group of friends. For an "outsider to be included would normally take some sort of introduction from one of the group - sort of "and this is my mate Dave the Yank - he's from Boston, but don't hold that against him" and even then it would take some time for the others to make a judgement before you were included.

Maybe I belong to a clanish bunch and this behaviour is not normal. It is not meant as antisocial, just the way it tends to be.

Have been to the UK many times - and have - eventually - gotten into some discussions in pubs.

Most have revolved around - where you are from, what it's like, and when they hear it's NYC - do you know so and so who lives there (and don't among 9 million people) and hints for traveling there - or other places.

(We had one quite long conversation about the Costa del Sol - and which towns were good and bad. Locals may have been discussing politics among themselves - but no one ever did with us.)

>>>>>
We had one quite long conversation about the Costa del Sol - and which towns were good and bad.
>>>>>>

ahh yes, the costa del sol...one of our favourite topics.

unless you enjoy going to spain to eat fish and chips, get drunk in british and irish pubs, wear your football kit and watch the footie on tv, i would not take advice about spain from a briton.

the 'good' towns are the ones with the most chippies and british pubs. the 'bad' towns are the ones with all that awful spanish food and few british football pubs.

Shoreditch Twat: Is there ANYTHING you like about living here?

And you clearly know sod all about pubs.

I find the idea of going to Britain to discuss US politics rather bizarre. One of the joys of living in Britain (I am American) is being somewhat sheltered from the non-stop election coverage on the other side of the Atlantic.

TKT,
I am from Boston also and have been to London numerous times...do your pub hopping and just enjoy whatever conversation arises either with the bartender or any locals that may be near you, and yes they will talk politics if you are so inclined. But for a real political debate go to Speakers Corner in Hyde Park on a Sunday morning, that is a great experience, and it is there that you will find anti war and anti Bush speakers,as well as an array of other topics, it is a great experience, and a real flavor of London. As for "Walkinaround" saying Boston is an unfriendly city, I feel that it absolutely not true and although biased I think the majority of the people of Boston go out of their way to assist visitors...as for their driving...well that a different story...

Mikek

Yes, Walkinaround you MUST follow the party line. ;)

(My above remark wasn't about Boston, btw.)

If you want any insight at all into British attitudes to politics - or even hear a debate - stay as far away from Speakers Corner as you possibly can.

A bunch of loonies shouting their obsessions at any passers by do not constitute debate, mild eccentricity or anything but certifiable insanity.

For exposure to British views on politics, stay tuned to Radio 4, or read a decent cross section of the papers, from The Sun, through the Daily Mail, to the Mirror and Independent.

Or listen to and watch "political" comedy shows, lke The News Quiz on Radio 4 (aka Have I Got News For You on BBC-TV) or Mock The Week.

Post a question on this site just before leaving about what TV "political" TV and radio comedy is worth watching/listening by then, and what really ought to be put out of its misery.

&quot;<i>But for a real political debate go to Speakers Corner in Hyde Park on a Sunday morning,</i>&quot; Maybe it has been 25 or 30 years since you've been to Speakers' Corner. There is absolutely NO intelligible debate going on there. Years and years ago it was fun/interesting. But now-a-days there is really nothing but insane nutters screaming at anyone w/i earshot.

...and janisj and I did not confer on those answers.

Their remarkable similarity is simply down to the fact that the Speakers' Corner mob really do constitute the best possible demonstration that you don't have to go to the red states to find hard-core loons.

And believe it or not, even the very worst recesses of US dickhead talk radio do loon-ness with greater wit, sanity and tolerance of the other bloke's (it's always blokes) point of view than the pillocks at Speakers' Corner.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
And you clearly know sod all about pubs.
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

oh no, not that insult. next you'll be saying i'm 'not fit for purpose' or that i know sod all about the royal family. you've clearly gone too far. too far.

you're so precious and cute when you passionately defend british honour.

Hey JanisJ...no one said it was an intelligent debate, but discussion, yes of American politics as the original writer was seeking...and no it hasnt been 25 years, try 6 months, and before that 9 months, and before that 12 months...I go every 3 months for business and every Sunday I am in London, I frequent Speakers Corner...too bad you dismiss people with an opinion as &quot;insane nutters&quot;...must be nice to be perfect...mikek

Interesting reaction - I didn't attack you. Simply commented on the &quot;<i>quality</i>&quot; of debate at Speakers' Corner. If you notice, I wasn't the only one to say <u>exactly</u> the same thing.

Wrong side of the bed or what????

TKT, I think you'd enjoy speaker's corner. Lively and political anyway, even though not a high level exchange of ideas.

All speakers were male persons of color last time I was by there, apropos of nothing, except one brave woman with an interesting mad look surrounded by loud young hecklers. I think her subject was metaphysical, but heckling made it difficult to follow.

There is no real political debate in UK pubs - far too much glass and alcohol about.
The nearest you get to debate is those on the same side expressing shades of opinion around something they already agree on.
Don't forget that the left and right truly despise one another here.They do not debate.

Don't forget that the left and right truly despise one another here.They do not debate.&gt;&gt;&gt;

Yes they do. Lots of my mates are trots and we get on fine.

That's because, come the revolution, it'll be a toss-up as to which of you is first (as Trots ought to know, but somehow never seem to learn)...