In the wake of the allegations against Ian Gibson, Labour MP for Norwich North, I thought it would be interesting to share with you comments that I have heard from constituents of Dr Gibson since the news became public.
I work in the heart of Dr Gibson's constituency and live on the edge of it and many of my work colleagues form part of his core electorate, and the reaction from them was akin to being let down by a trusted friend. Ian Gibson has been able to position himself in recent years not just as a Labour MP, but also as the anti establishment champion of local people and it is those people who felt that Labour had let them down buy Ian Gibson hadn't who feel most upset.
"I vote for him because he seemed like one of us and not one of them", said one colleague.
"Of all the MPs I never expected him to do this", said another.
But summing it all up for me was one colleague who said "I don't like Labour but I would have voted for him, but not now".
If you had asked me a week ago if I thought Ian Gibson would be named by The Telegraph, I would have said it was highly unlikely. Sadly, and I mean this genuinely as a Lib Dem and constituent of his, I feel what has happened is a great shame. Ian Gibson is that rare thing, an MP who does a good job of nursing his constituency who transcends political bias and draws his support from people who are actually bitterly opposed to the political party they represent.
Should he go ? Probably yes. Is it a shame ? Yes, I think it is.
4 comments:
That just goes to show what a poor judge of character most of the British public are. When you get down to some of the more political issues(and not just the fluffy, headline-grabbers) you'll not be surprised that Gibson is one of the more corrupt - using his Dr title to convince the government that things such as GM, chemicals, are safe and scientifically proven. He's working for the chemical corporations and not the British public, and now you're all surprised that his motivation turns out to be greed, after all. How hypocritical to be publicly so concerned about issues such as cancer and ME, while lobbying to promote the use of factors which create these illnesses.
Notice that his "offer to stand down" has also not yet been delivered. If he had any dignity he would have already gone.
yes think shame
he was excellent
however not acceptable
but must go
maybe the greens will now win both norwich seats
They will win neither, and I don't expect them to come second in either seat.
Speak to Greens in Brighton who threw everything and the kitchen sink at one of the seats there where they have lots of councillors and they still failed to get even near to winning.
Think he's been lucky that his constituents haven't scrutinised his voting records a bit more closely before now. There's a world of difference between saying things for the press and carrying it through by voting appropriately in the House.He didn't go easy on colleagues who were caught out either - until he too was embroiled.
You have to wonder why, if he genuinely thought he had nothing to hide, he voted against reform of the second homes allowance and for MPs expenses to be excluded from being released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Disappointing, yes - but probably only because it forces us yet again to face the fact that what you see ain't necessarily what you get in politics.
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