Supporting and Opposing People or Views

A
In these televisions interviews, Members of Parliament (MPs) are defending their
positions.

Interviewer: Recently you seem to have to come out against1 those in your party
who want stronger anti-terrorist laws. Why?

MP: I haven’t changed my position at all, and I stick by what I’ve always said.
Those who side with2 the terrorists or support them in any way must be opposed. But
we need a mature debate about the causes of terrorism.

Interviewer: You said you were determined to introduce higher fuel charges, but after
the opposition from the trucking companies you seem to have caved in3. Why?

MP: We are listening party and we always defer to4 expert opinion. We were
advised that higher charges would have a negative economic effect in the long term, so
we have decided to go with5 that advice.

Interviewer: You seem to be leaning increasingly towards 6 more conservative

policies, even though you are a member of the Liberal Party. Is there any truth in the
rumour that you are about to cross over7 to the Conservative Party?

MP: No. The values I stand for8 are liberal values, but I see no point in
siding against9 the Conservative Party on those issues where I agree with them.

1 6
Stated publicly that you opposed an issues support or begin to support a particular set of
(opposite: come out in favour of) ideas or a particular political party

2 7
Support a person or group in an argument start to support a different, often opposing, person
or group

3 8
agreed to something that you were against before, support
because of persuasion or threats

4 9
{formal} accept someone else’s opinion because oppose a person or group in an argument
they know more or are more important

5
accept a plan or ideas

Note the phrasal verbs for supporting and opposing people or views in these
newspaper extracts.

17-year-old boy claims he was egged on1 by his friends to steal cars.
1
encouraged to do something, often something that is wrong, stupid, or dangerous

Supporting and Opposing People or Views 1/3

Cheered on2 by her supporters, Mandy Mars beat the world record.
2
received encouraging shouts

Mrs Wright, who celebrated her 99th birthday, when asked what her secret was, said
she swears by3 a glass of wine for lunch.
3
believes that something is very effective and that it will always work well

The manager said the club would not hear of4 letting children attend the concert.
4
not allow something, or not allow someone to do something (always in the negative)

The peace campaign was buoyed up5 recently by a donation of several thousand
euros.
5
supported and made more successful

He was someone who always stuck up for6 the rights of the poor and the homeless.
6
{Informal} defended or fought for something important

I. Complete these statements from a political manifesto.

1 This party ……………… for equality for all.

2. We do not hesitate to ……………… out strongly against any case of injustice.
3. We ……………… by our principles at all times and never ……………… in to
threats or pressure from the opposition.
4. We ……………… with the undergo and do not ……………… to those who are
wealthy and powerful.

II. Look at part B. Put the words in the correct order to make sentences.

runners / The / cheered / line / on / the / were / as / they / spectators / for / the / by /
finishing / headed.

rely / sister / Tim / You / to / on / stick / little / can / his / for / up.

grandfather / by / My / garlic / a / of / raw / himself / as / way / from / colds /

protecting / swears / catching.

bungee / My / have / mother / would / tried / we / never / hadn’t / her / jumping / on

/ egged / if.

all-night / to / wanted / to / go / mother / party / an / it / her / wouldn’t / but / of / She

/ hear.

of / discover / the / years / British / gas / the / North / The / up / buoyed / in /

economy / Sea / some / for.

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 III. Which word from the part A or B could fit into all the sentences in each
set? Note any new meaning of the word which you come across.

1. If a politician doesn’t …………….. by what he has said, he will lose the voters’
trust.
It is not always easy to …………….. up for what you believe in if others are
attacking you.

2. I cannot believe that you would …………….. with the government on the issue
of the war.
Peter was warned not to …………….. against the Minister if he wanted to have
a successful career in politics.
You will find a lot of interesting phrasal verbs on the left-hand …………….. of
the page.

3. Please come and …………….. me on the tennis match.

Chris is a bit miserable so we really should go round and try to …………….. up.
A …………….. went up as the King entered the stadium.

4. Randy Libbert’s investment should help to …………….. up the company.

We always try to …………….. each other up before giving important
presentations in front of large audiences.
You must try to sail the yacht round that red …………….. .

IV. Are these sentences correct? If not, correct them.

1. My preferred course of action would be to go with what Mike has

recommended.
2. He began his political life as a Conservative but crossed across to the Liberal
Party when he realised that he would be more likely to get a seat in Parliament
that way.
3. Many people start to lean more towards right-wing ideas as they become
middle-aged.
4. Either side with the Prime Minister or against him – don’t abstain from voting.
5. I will have to defer on your superior knowledge of the situation.
6. My mother promises by a daily spoonful of honey to keep healthy all year long.
7. Joe is not always naughty himself but he is quick to egg others off.
8. The dean said he would not hear of students coming to college with
inappropriate clothing.

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