Talk:George Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of Cumnock

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This article seems very slanted towards its subject

I have amended the final section. Whilst Lord Foulkes has often times been challenged online for his views, much of the text seemed to be very 'extreme'. I have changed the text to fully reflect the fact that Lord Foulkes is often times questioned and criticised for his views via people posting to online blogs and news items throughout the UK. I have removed the term cybernats and the 'anti Scottish suggestion, as their is no substantive evidence nor a citation for such an outlandish statement. In addition, I believe such phraseology detracts from the merit of the entire biography on this Lord. I think the amendment fairly reflect the sentiments originally expressed, albeit very poorly. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.172.231.140 (talk) 10:45, 2 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It talks up Foulkes, trashes the SNP and gives no details of his claims on taxpayers' money when he is touring studios defending MPs claims.

I question its NPOV

Cannonmc (talk) 22:16, 12 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Have re-included previously posted details of expenses claims; but it doesn't seem too biased. It includes his tired/violent and emotional episodes and has a section for controversy. Perhaps the tone of the Scottish Parliament section could do with a dial down... "exposed" for instance, carries a few too many heroic connotations.

Fleeelf (talk) 17:22, 13 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I don't think including his every embarrassing TV appearance is going to produce a very balanced biography. The only print newspaper I saw today was the Scotsman, and his latest faux pas got between two and three column inches there. Hardly a major story then, given that the expenses drama as a whole ran to several pages. This is "dog bites man" stuff. Angus McLellan (Talk) 20:23, 13 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This is the only embarrassing appearance I'm aware of, and it has recived reasonable coverage in a variety of media - enough to warrent the fairly short coverage here. I'd agree that it doesn't need too much attention, but one line covering the incident and another to detail his fairly restrained use of the expenses system seems appropriate.

Fleeelf (talk) 00:43, 15 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

'Responsible for Labour's opposition'?

The article currently states that 'as the most time-served politician currently serving in Holyrood, Foulkes has been responsible for Labour's opposition to the minority SNP Government'. What is this supposed to mean? To me, it either implies that Foulkes is the leader of Scottish Labour, which he isn't, or that he was instrumental in convincing Labour to go into opposition after the 2007 election, which he wasn't (what else could they have done?). He's a Labour backbencher in opposition to the SNP government, but I don't see how he is 'responsible' for Labour's opposition in general.

Equally, I've changed 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' to 'the Iraq war'. The former is rarely used (now) and is POV.Benjaminkje (talk) 19:56, 9 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

The last paragraph in controversy isn't neutral, giving a very strong opinion that (1) Lord Foulkes is correct and (2) those that criticised him are faceless/isolationist. I think the same points could easily be made in much more neutral language. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.176.105.138 (talk) 08:51, 2 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with you and the changes you have made. I've deleted the final paragraph of the Controversy section, as it was poorly formatted and without sources. Exok (talk) 10:58, 2 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I have updated the section on University tuition fees, to reflect that fact that the amendment to the Scotland Bill has now been tabled by Lord Foulkes in the house of Lords. The wording is available in Hansard, and effectively places control of differential tuition fees in Scotland under Westminster control as a reserved matter (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2010-2012/0079/amend/ml079-ii.htm). I have also updated the text to reflect the fact that this amendment will only relate to Scotland, and that the devolved legislatures in N.Ireland and Wales will still have the freedom to set reduced or zero rate tuition fees for their resident students.