to ask why several prominent members seem to have vanished?!?

I hope not Maizie. There are a few posters I think are very unreasonable and very rude, but I don’t think anyone should be removed except for exceptional reasons. We’re grown ups and should be able to choose when to respond to threads and individual posters or not.

So did they jump,or were they pushed?

I think you hit the nail on the head kitty. One particular poster thought herself superior and myself and another sometimes got put in our place.

Everyone got put in their place - which was mostly in the wrong - not just for having a different opinion, but also for not being a ruthless and experienced enough debater to fight fire with fire and to turn back assertions with a clever twist of meaning and the imputation of some unsavoury motive for those different opinions.

One particular poster thought herself superior and myself and another sometimes got put in our place.

Well, crikey! She wasn't the only one... (if it's the one I'm thinking of...)

As there elections in May perhaps those missing are busy campaigning

I hate these people who pussy foot around saying "one particular poster" or other euphemisms. If you don't like someone or their comments for goodness sake have the honesty to come out and name them and say why.

I changed my original name because an 'outsider' 'rumbled' me from some references I made to my life before Gransnet. I like my current name - it seems ever more apposite as time goes on!

I think it’s a shame that three very active posters have withdrawn or been thrown out of Gransnet.
They added a depth of knowledge to political discussions. They will be missed.

There are justifiable reasons why user names are changed, particularly the one outlined by Phoenix which was shocking. Ana was a very prolific poster so her lack of a presence on GN is noticeable, I could be wrong but I don't think she has come back under another guise. I think the same would apply to PRINTMISS who dropped her age into a couple of posts, mid 80s I believe, she also had a husband with Parkinsons. It is a shame to lose people we feel we have come to know through their written words.

I miss Ana and Anya

Phoenix, I am totally amazed anyone could do such a thing. How spiteful, even if you 100% disagree with anyone. However, I hate the thought of members speculating on who it could be, without that person bein able to defend themselves- I must say. Yes, so glad you are still here.

So perhaps I misunderstood the word 'prominent' - as a non English speaker- as it seems to have ruffled a few feathers. Will have to check dictionary- I took it to mean that they were very visible on here, not superior.

merlot, are you sure A and A are not here under different names?

I hate these people who pussy foot around saying "one particular poster" or other euphemisms. If you don't like someone or their comments for goodness sake have the honesty to come out and name them and say why

Strong words trisher why cause trouble?

Hate must be a bitter emotion to endure

If you name names the poster is likely to report your honest opinion as a personal attack and summon the big guns to anihilate you. Calling them "a certain poster" is insurance against that.

But leaves the post open to misinterpretation. I don't see that it would be offensive if you were to say X posted so many remarks about such a thing. I found them upsetting and was offended. You are criticising the posts and not the poster. Of course if you can't do it without being offensive then you have a problem. But I do like honesty and dislike obfuscation.

You shoud know Annie your hate is often expressed in your posts.

Personally I am sorry that the 3 posters named in the OP have gone; they were all left-of-centre and the political centre of gravity on MN has now moved towards the right, not my natural home...

I agree humptydumpty. They were all prolific posters and their opinions were often supported by evidence. I really appreciated the links. I did not always agree with them but I can't help noticing that they were all ardent Remainers, as so many of us still are.

Not only has the political centre of gravity on GN swung to the right, but it is also now markedly pro-brexit. Unlike the posters who have disappeared the brexiteers rarely put forward any evidence to back their convictions.

The GN politics forum is poorer without DJ, GG and WW. It is just as well I am not a conspiracy theorist.

Hear, hear varian.

Do the 'prominent members' only like to converse with like minded people?

This was said quite a few times by at least one of those prominent members, I seem to remember.

Phoenix, I am totally amazed anyone could do such a thing. How spiteful, even if you 100% disagree with anyone. However, I hate the thought of members speculating on who it could be, without that person bein able to defend themselves- I must say. Yes, so glad you are still here.

Well said, jura. Speculating about another's possible spitefulness is also spiteful because it is sowing a seed idea unfairly.

I agree varian. It could be thought that right wing posters have repeatedly complained to GN moderators.
There was a suggestion by WW that the moderators sided with the louder right wing posters.
I think it's important that we are reassured that the moderators are neutral.

Not only has the political centre of gravity on GN swung to the right, but it is also now markedly pro-brexit.

Really? Or have the definitions of right, left and centrist all moved? I haven't noticed a pro-Brexit slant on GN.