Thousand's of people lives could have been put at risk but what could only be described as a disappointing blunder. In a recent House of Commons debate our incumbent MP Mike Gapes quite literally goofed by failing to support an opposition motion and a Government motion to put a halt to the ridiculous North East London Healthcare proposals.
How often have we seen MP Mike Gapes at local protests opposing potential cuts to King George Hospital. Yet when an opportunity arose for us to finally put this concern to bed he was found wanting.
Mp Lee Scott will now meet with the Under Secretary for Health and Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham. What a shame this vital opportunity has been squandered!
Read more (here)
How often have we seen MP Mike Gapes at local protests opposing potential cuts to King George Hospital. Yet when an opportunity arose for us to finally put this concern to bed he was found wanting.
Mp Lee Scott will now meet with the Under Secretary for Health and Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham. What a shame this vital opportunity has been squandered!
Read more (here)
Mike Gapes is - obviously - not of the same political views as I am. But in criticising him in the way you have I think you are being both naive and unfair.
ReplyDeleteOf course it is disappointing that he did not support a motion of which you and I approve. But for him it was an OPPOSITION motion, and the party whipping system clearly did not permit him to support it. But he did abstain from supporting his own party's motion - because it did not deliver what he wanted.
There comes a time in politics to respect the actions and motives of your opponents, even when you disagree with them. It is known to some as political maturity.
Morris, whether it is the Labour Party or Mike Gapes who is to blame for the missed opportunity to save A&E at King George Hospital. The fact remains the same, the decision made by Mike has prevented a positive outcome. He had too watch as his constituents have been placed in a difficult position, that could result in the loss of lives. Moreover, not all Labour Party MP's follwed their party whip and it takes a strong politician to make the right decisions sometimes. In this case acceding to the party whip has illustrated the supine nature of our local leader, who has now threatened the future of our health.
ReplyDeleteMore the reason for people to vote for local candidates who have a true affiliation for their constituency and live in the area.
"More the reason...live in the area".
ReplyDeleteIn just one word - you!!
Hey I Live in the Borough more precisely Ilford South....does Toby Boutle?
ReplyDeleteI don't know Toby Boutle. You clearly do not get the point of the comment.
ReplyDeleteNo person I know, has heard of or has any information on Toby Boutle. I am surprised you have a similar vagueness and perhaps reticence....?
ReplyDeleteWith respect to your other comment, I merely wanted to point our party politics, clearly has not worked. When electing politicians, in addition to values alligned with party manifestos, voters should look for candidates who can illustrate local knowledge and experience...?
Desirable, yes - but not wholly essential.
ReplyDeleteAnybody genuinely wanting information about Toby Boutle can find it by an internet search. I just did. Yet another bloody barrister. I am "vague" largely to the extent that I am not a member of the Ilford South Conservative Association. And no, I am not being reticent, I simply do not know him.
ReplyDeleteMr Chowdhry, have you edited my comment @ 19:19, or did I say more than you have published?
ReplyDeleteI see my posting of 21.18 (that I had thought to be part of that of 19.19) has now been added as too has the question - unanswered.
ReplyDeleteI simply was working through the 100 or so emails I received,during my absence from the office. I returned at 10:30 posting letters in Seven Kings about tomorrow's meeting..?
ReplyDeletePatience is a virtue....?
Morris,
ReplyDeleteHaving seen your submitted comments in the moderation queue I can confirm that they have been published as submitted.
Tech support.
Evidence, Weggis, of the principal advantage of post-moderated sites.
ReplyDeleteNot bad that an unknown such as Toby Boutle still manged to beat you in Ilford South though, actually so did Anood Al-Samerai by a long way. Hmm perhaps being unknown is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you nicked my pun by the way, Weggis already acknowledged it on the Ilford South Greens Blog but hey can't expect you to 'fess up to it!
ReplyDeleteI merely improved your original pun...
ReplyDeleteI hope adding your comment gives you some solace Jesse.
ReplyDeleteJesse @ 26 May 2010 15:10
ReplyDeleteI don’t know, but the consensus amongst the political geekery appears to be that most people vote for the Party Ticket and not the person.
Of the constituencies where the Green Party stood for the first time in 2010, the result in Ilford South was one of the best. Given the “squeeze” on all the smaller parties [as well as the Liberal Democrats] this was a creditable performance.