Robert Flello, the Labour MP for Stoke on Trent South, is bent over the blocks like a coiled spring of greased lightning (really?) as he readies himself to do battle in a September general election. Does he have plans outlined, strategies primed and policies poised the printers? Perhaps. But more importantly he is concerning himself with the vital issue of umbrellas. His eager team have been ringing round trade unions asking if they produce corporate umbrellas and, if so, could they be forwarded to him? He doesn’t want canvassers to be soaked. Hence, one assumes, he has a September rather than May date in his diary. l
Erstwhile Norwich North MP Ian Gibson is yet to be officially informed about the reason for the retraction by the national party of his Labour candidature. Charged, with mitigation, and found guilty of being a perfect scapegoat because of his history of voting in favour of a Labour line in the House of Commons, Mr Gibson remains loyally silent. Meanwhile, his “new” Labour replacement refuses to comment on whether Mr Gibson was treated fairly, at the same time as acknowledging there is a strong feeling in the constituency that this is the case. Great platform, good luck mate. It’s not unlikely that Westminster will soon be welcoming another Tory MP to the House of Commons. But Norwich Labour supporters are warning those at Labour HQ not to point the finger of blame at them for any debacle at the polls when they should look in the mirror to see who’s responsible. l
Someone else to elevate to the House of Lords so he can join Gordon Brown’s team of all the talents could be Lord Elpus. It is feared that his intervention will be very seriously needed at the next general election. l
Robert Flello, the Labour MP for Stoke on Trent South, is bent over the blocks like a coiled spring of greased lightning (really?) as he readies himself to do battle in a September general election. Does he have plans outlined, strategies primed and policies poised the printers? Perhaps. But more importantly he is concerning himself with the vital issue of umbrellas. His eager team have been ringing round trade unions asking if they produce corporate umbrellas and, if so, could they be forwarded to him? He doesn’t want canvassers to be soaked. Hence, one assumes, he has a September rather than May date in his diary. l
Erstwhile Norwich North MP Ian Gibson is yet to be officially informed about the reason for the retraction by the national party of his Labour candidature. Charged, with mitigation, and found guilty of being a perfect scapegoat because of his history of voting in favour of a Labour line in the House of Commons, Mr Gibson remains loyally silent. Meanwhile, his “new” Labour replacement refuses to comment on whether Mr Gibson was treated fairly, at the same time as acknowledging there is a strong feeling in the constituency that this is the case. Great platform, good luck mate. It’s not unlikely that Westminster will soon be welcoming another Tory MP to the House of Commons. But Norwich Labour supporters are warning those at Labour HQ not to point the finger of blame at them for any debacle at the polls when they should look in the mirror to see who’s responsible. l
Someone else to elevate to the House of Lords so he can join Gordon Brown’s team of all the talents could be Lord Elpus. It is feared that his intervention will be very seriously needed at the next general election.
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