Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
16 February 2009
11:1815550This weekend Labour suffered a high profile defection, Sir David Freud a Government adviser on welfare reform has defected to the Conservatives after being frustrated at the reluctance of the Government to act on getting those on welfare back to work.
Sir David has been appointed to the Conservative Front Bench as a Welfare Spokesman.
Charlie Elphicke posted on Conhome: "I am personally delighted to welcome him as a member of Dover & Deal Conservatives, where I am the Parliamentary candidate."
As a former chairman I too would like to welcome Sir David to Dover & Deal Conservatives and wish him luck in his new role. Great to see at least one local man is likely to be a member of the Cameron Government, maybe Charlie will be a second, given his role currently advising George Osborne behind the scenes. Dover need people in high places to exert influence on its behalf, something lacking over the last 12 years.
16 February 2009
13:3815552As advisor to the Government his was not a Party Political post. There is no defection, just a straightforward choice to become party political. And we are all free to do that thanks to our democratic system, thank God!!!!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
16 February 2009
13:5215553Fair point Bern but he did choose to take a post under Labour which, while himself being non-party political, was of political sensitivity. His reasons for jumping ship are quite telling given it was only a few months ago we had all that 'hoo hah' over welfare reform and the Government claims which, once again, are shown to have been no more than talk.
16 February 2009
14:0315554He cannot have jumped ship if he was not on board!! He has simply chosen to throw his hat into the ring with the Blues, not deserted the Reds!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
16 February 2009
19:5515562barry
when one the blues jumps ship, you put it down to the defector feeling that they have been passed over for promotion and/or holds a personal grudge against someone in the party.
i have never seen anyone deserving of respect crossing the floor at parliament or local level.
maybe the latest turncoat has made a freudian slip.?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
16 February 2009
23:3615576I really dont understand what you are saying Howard. Can you please re-phrase what you are saying or explain?
17 February 2009
08:0815586Bored now.....................
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
17 February 2009
09:4015595Bern - this article in The Times makes interesting reading placing this defection into a broader more interesting perspective. It talks about this being one incident of a pattern that is emerging about the fate of the Government.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/rachel_sylvester/article5748050.ece17 February 2009
21:2815632Thank you for that - it is interesting. There is always a kaleidescoping when power is ebbing - the parties swirl and mesh and create new patterns - it is fascinating! There is a visible slide for Labour at the moment - let's see where it takes us!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
18 February 2009
07:3915639Yes, very interesting read Barry, let's hope it's true.
I liked the last bit about don't blame the government, blame the electorate.
Roger.
Sid Pollitt
18 February 2009
19:0315664Sounds a bit like Carol Vorderman all over again, getting consulted and their views taken on board and then whoosh off to do the dirty. Why is this guy joining the local Tories though, I've never seem him at Crabble. Maybe he is staying at one of Charlie's gaffs until he gets the title of Lord White Cliffs or summat.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
19 February 2009
19:0015698Sounds more like Vic or Ken if you ask me.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 February 2009
20:2115704that is the general thinking john.
there are far too many shallow public figures that hold a finger up to the wind and work out which way it is blowing.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
19 February 2009
20:5115711as bob dilyn would say the answer my friend is blowing in the wind.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
20 February 2009
17:0615757I hear that after campaiging for the Hospital Reg Hansell is now standing as a Conservative at the KCC elections.I like Reg but I was told that is why he was making so much about the Hospital and trying to get it at Whitfield.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
20 February 2009
18:1415765Well that's news to me John. I thought he'd be standing as an Independant.
Funny you should hear that before me John - do you know what area ?
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
20 February 2009
20:0915786does this happen anywhere else but here, on such a scale?
around here if someone loses their deposit it is balanced up by the thirty pieces of silver.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
21 February 2009
07:5715804I have spoken to a number of senior Conservatives and they confirmed he is NOT running for the Conservaties.
Who starts these rumours ??
Everyone is entitled to change party Howard if they feel that party is now out of step with their views and aspirations - even the great man himself, Winston Churchill changed party.
Roger