Bob rules out debate with political rivals (From Gazette)
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Bob rules out debate with political rivals
9:00pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in
COLCHESTER’S MP has refused to take part in a public debate with political rivals until an election is called.
Lib Dem Bob Russell claimed it would be “inappropriate” to share the stage at Colchester Royal Grammar School with his Tory and Labour rivals, unless Parliament had been dissolved.
He said: “If no election has been called, it is a bit much to expect the MP for Colchester to take part in a debate with the people who want to take his job.
“However, once an election has been called, then I am not Colchester’s MP, I am a mere mortal like everyone else and would be happy to take part.”
Mr Russell was responding after Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate, Jordan Newell, complained he had been “snubbed”.
The grammar school’s political society had written to Labour Colchester councillor Tim Young to ask if he wanted to join in the debate on March 31.
When Mr Young suggested Mr Newell would be a better choice, the school explained Mr Russell did not want to face his rival candidates in front of an audience.
Mr Newell said: “I am naturally disappointed Bob Russell feels unable to face up to the challange and debate with his political opponents in Colchester.
“These events are not staged for the benefit of Bob’s public image, but for people to question the candidates they will be able to vote for at the next general election.
“There have been numerous panel debates involving all the party candidates, however I have only been able to share a platform with Bob for one of these.”
North Essex Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin is taking part in the event. Prospective Tory candidate Will Quince, who has not been asked to go, said: “If I were to be invited, I would be delighted to attend.”
The general election is expected to take place on May 6, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown officially naming the date at the end of March, on or near the date when the grammar school debate will be.
Comments(22)
Feisty CBC
says...
10:26pm Wed 17 Mar 10
The tories would love a heavyweight like him in the next parliament.
Voter99
says...
10:03am Thu 18 Mar 10
Does anyone know?
setbuilder
says...
1:43pm Thu 18 Mar 10
Voter99 wrote:Maybe Councillor Young didn't put himself forward?! He doesn't have to.
By the way why wasn't Councillor Young chosen to stand as the Labour candidate for Colchester in the general election? Does anyone know?
And surely the debate SHOULD be with Jordan Newell, who IS, after all, the Labour candidate.
Voter99, much as I don't approve of everything Mr Young does myself, you seem to have a very personal vendetta against the man.
The article is essentially about Bob Russell's stance yet you keep on at Tim Young! It must be very sad and lonely in that tunnel of yours!
love Dr
says...
3:40pm Thu 18 Mar 10
Voter99
says...
4:16pm Thu 18 Mar 10
First of all, if you re-read the article above you will see in paragraph 6 that it was the the Gazette who first mentioned Councillor Young in relation to this article - quote - "The grammar school’s (i.e Colchester Royal Grammar School) political society had written to Labour Colchester councillor Tim Young to ask if he wanted to join in the debate on March 31".
Why should Bob Russell soil his hands dealing with a political pip squeak like Jordan Newell who was beaten into 5th place by the BNP at the borough election in Highwoods in 2008 where he polled only 97 votes out of the 2096 votes cast?
I only alsked a simple question about Labour's choce of prospective parliamentary candidate. Yet I find that whenever you ask Labour an uncomfortable question they always try and avoid a reply - watch Gordon Brown on Prime Minister's Question - he's always avoiding the question.
So just out of curiosity I would be grateful for a reply to the following question:
Why wasn't Councillor Young chosen to stand as the Labour candidate for Colchester in the general election? Does anyone know?
Why is this a difficult question?
I'm sure that Colchester Labour supporters must be wondering why Tim Young with his years of experience as Colchester Labour leader wasn't chosen ahead of Jordan Newell.
Is Jordan Newell just a paper candidate because Labour know that they can't beat Bob Russell?
André
says...
7:59pm Thu 18 Mar 10
Basil Faulty
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8:22pm Thu 18 Mar 10
RB, Lexden
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9:42pm Thu 18 Mar 10
ely he will be re-elected despite all the unanswered questions about his expenses(apparently we even paid for his bed).But he does not and never will represent the majority of people in this town.
setbuilder
says...
11:11pm Thu 18 Mar 10
Voter99 wrote:Voter99 - I'm fully aware of what the article states. My point, quite obviously, was that if there is to be a debate it should be with the standing candidates and nobody else - otherwise why bother?
Setbuilder and love Dr sound like typical Labour activists. First of all, if you re-read the article above you will see in paragraph 6 that it was the the Gazette who first mentioned Councillor Young in relation to this article - quote - "The grammar school’s (i.e Colchester Royal Grammar School) political society had written to Labour Colchester councillor Tim Young to ask if he wanted to join in the debate on March 31". Why should Bob Russell soil his hands dealing with a political pip squeak like Jordan Newell who was beaten into 5th place by the BNP at the borough election in Highwoods in 2008 where he polled only 97 votes out of the 2096 votes cast? I only alsked a simple question about Labour's choce of prospective parliamentary candidate. Yet I find that whenever you ask Labour an uncomfortable question they always try and avoid a reply - watch Gordon Brown on Prime Minister's Question - he's always avoiding the question. So just out of curiosity I would be grateful for a reply to the following question: Why wasn't Councillor Young chosen to stand as the Labour candidate for Colchester in the general election? Does anyone know? Why is this a difficult question? I'm sure that Colchester Labour supporters must be wondering why Tim Young with his years of experience as Colchester Labour leader wasn't chosen ahead of Jordan Newell. Is Jordan Newell just a paper candidate because Labour know that they can't beat Bob Russell?
You also should not make unqualified statements. I said I did not approve of everything Mr Young does - this makes me a Labour activist? I state that it's up to Mr Young whether he puts himself forward (and I'm sure he has his reasons for not doing so) - does this make me a Labour activist?
Well, no, it doesn't - I am merely making a point WITHOUT a political stance.
I'm assuming that you won't be voting Labour but you keep your own colours well-hidden. Perhaps you should start being open with your views instead of throwing poison darts around. What is your voting preference - or will you not be voting? If the latter then why are you bothering everyone with vindictive drivel?!
And finally, why should anyone in the know answer your questions? You quite obviously wouldn't be interested in their answer and no doubt would then accuse them of lying!
Meanwhile I believe that you'll find Colchester 'Old' Labour has tactically voted Lib Dem for years to keep the Conservatives out. So I'm sure we won't be rid of the Labour turncoat for a few more years.
setbuilder
says...
11:22pm Thu 18 Mar 10
André wrote:I remember someone saying that about Thatcher. Her 'representation of the next generation' involved selling off the nation's silver (privatisation of virtually everything that was publicly owned), record unemployment, 15% interest rates, running down the NHS, removing the pension index-linking (not forgetting snatching the milk) - oh, but the rich were still rich and yuppies enjoyed the high life (until Black Monday, and then, under Major, Black Wednesday) Everyone seems to forget the good old days under the Conservatives!
I hope Will Quince wins, it would be nice to see some new blood in Parliament. Someone who can represent the next generation and not the antiquated views of the outgoing one.
Voter99
says...
6:58am Fri 19 Mar 10
You soun like you've throwing mobile phones around the sitting in the alledged style of Gordon Brown. Tell us - is that a Labour thing?
You still didn't answer my questions - I raised in my previous posting.
Why does "Colchester 'Old 'Labour", as you called them vote for Lib Dems if they hate the "Labour turncoat" (as you put it) so much?
And with regard to my voting preference - voting is still by secret ballot in this country - or have Labour outlawed that as well?
By the sounds of it Bob Russell has nothing to fear from Colchester Labour.
setbuilder
says...
8:30am Fri 19 Mar 10
Voter99 wrote:1. Don't understand your first paragraph (I speak English) - is that a voter99 thing?
To Setbuilder You soun like you've throwing mobile phones around the sitting in the alledged style of Gordon Brown. Tell us - is that a Labour thing? You still didn't answer my questions - I raised in my previous posting. Why does "Colchester 'Old 'Labour", as you called them vote for Lib Dems if they hate the "Labour turncoat" (as you put it) so much? And with regard to my voting preference - voting is still by secret ballot in this country - or have Labour outlawed that as well? By the sounds of it Bob Russell has nothing to fear from Colchester Labour.
2. I think you'll find I answered all of your questions to the best of MY ability - I'm not a Labour activist so won't (and can't) answer for them!
3. I've never said 'Old' Labour hate Bob Russell (your words, I think!).
4. The reason I suggested you show your colours is because you always throw around suppositions about everyone else's allegiances I thought you might be brave enough to own up to your own - cowards hide behind vacant words!
5. Bob Russell probably has nothing to fear from any of the Parties here - unfortunate as that may be!
Now, may I suggest that you read this post very carefully as I HAVE answered all of your questions, so don't do your normal puerile trick of repeating the same old questions over and over and over........!
RB, Lexden
says...
10:07am Fri 19 Mar 10
y Mr Russell,64 on March 31, will be re-elected,even though there are still so many unanswered questions about his expenses (I would like to know more about the bed,the boiler and the replacement windows we had to buy for Mr Russell and whether these were bought in Colchester,or did he take the business elsewhere;and whether it is really necessary for us to fund his £250 a month mortgage interest payments,when he is already taking so much money from us in pay and pension?).Whatever happens at the General Election,Bob Russell does not and never will represent the majority of people in this town.
love Dr
says...
10:27am Fri 19 Mar 10
Basil Faulty
says...
10:55am Fri 19 Mar 10
Get off Russell's case. He is a good MP and most of us will vote for him because there is no realistic alternative. It's him or a fiddler's mate or a busted flush, no contest.
Voter99
says...
11:22am Fri 19 Mar 10
You have a go at me for not declaring my political affiliation yet you don't seem to keen to tell me which party you support.
You state in a very adament fashion that you're not a Labour activist - as if being a Labour activist is something shameful.
You won't even admit to being a Labour supporter.
Yet you infer behind your weasel words that I am a coward.
RB, Lexden
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12:47pm Fri 19 Mar 10
setbuilder
says...
1:19pm Fri 19 Mar 10
Voter99 wrote:I'm not going to go over what I said - you obviously have problems understanding the meaning of words put together on a page.
To Set Builder You have a go at me for not declaring my political affiliation yet you don't seem to keen to tell me which party you support. You state in a very adament fashion that you're not a Labour activist - as if being a Labour activist is something shameful. You won't even admit to being a Labour supporter. Yet you infer behind your weasel words that I am a coward.
I made no inference about you being a coward - I stated fact!
I WAS once a Labour activist - before Blair - but left the Party in 1996. I have ALWAYS voted for Dave Harris in Berechurch because he is the ONLY councillor locally worth his salt (tories being non-existent and lib-dems only wanting photo-opportunities and glory-seeking). I have NOT decided who I'll vote for nationally (although it will not be Conservative for reasons I've given in previous posts).
I also stand by my convictions and the only weasly words spoken recently have been from your camp - perhaps you ought to get a dictionary and check the meaning of the term - here's Wikipedia's definition 'evasive, ambiguous, or misleading'!
Okay - now make what you want out of that but don't accuse me of hiding, and if you haven't got a reasonable critique to make then I suggest you quit writing.
Voter99
says...
1:47pm Fri 19 Mar 10
Temper, temper - throwing all your toys out of the pram.
So now you admit to being a former Labour activist who thinks that aside from Councillor Dave Harris the rest of Colchester Labour and the rest of the councillors are not worth their salt. You've ruled out voting Conservative but you haven't decided to vote for the Colchester PPC Jordan Newell.
So what exactly is your gripe with me?
You have a go a me for expressing my point of view but you seem to think that it's ok for you do to the same.
You've got yourself so wound up - you can't even manage a reasonable argument.
I suggest that you take a couple of very deep breaths and lie down for a very long time.
Bye. bye setbuilder
setbuilder
says...
2:30pm Fri 19 Mar 10
You do not express a point of view. You spout vindictive rubbish and think you're clever.
I repeat - you sad, sad man.
Basil Faulty
says...
2:32pm Fri 19 Mar 10
RB, Lexden wrote:Maybe so RB, Lexden but better to be a feeble farter than an air bag from the Tory Party.
The usual feeble,flatulent response from the Russell camp.And from someone named 'Faulty.' How apt.
I'm not from the Russell camp either, I'm just a realist - the Tories are a busted flush in Colchester, just like your opinions.
Irony too is lost on you I see, unsurprising.
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Voter99 says...
10:14pm Wed 17 Mar 10