And another thing…

Companies have long learnt that a dominant policy of “hiring from within” is a sure fire way to going bust – and will always seek out the best talent, regardless of where it comes from.

Considering that the key job of an MP is to be the representative of the constituents in Parliament, it would seem sensible that the voters would want the person most likely to be good at lobbying on their interests for the job, regardless of where they lived before.

Regrettably, logic and politics rarely go hand in hand.

Too true.

The Luvvie Trot Ricky Tomlinson claims that the Labour PPC in his patch knows neither scouse ways, nor Liverpool, and threatens to stand himself I gather.

Meanwhile Chameleon seeks to censor his PPCs’ tweets etc.

We may have entered the silly election period.

Hardly surprising the SNP would be so insular since it sums up their whole political philosophy to be so.

Well said Tom, never realy thought about it before but it makes sense.

I would much rather have somebody who’s ideas were closer to mine than someone from the same area who held completely different beliefs.

I think part of it though is that politicians tend to be so vacuous and short on ideas that their accent often count for to be more important.

We need to get back to the politics of ideas, not of identity.

It seem to remember that, during the Glasgow North East by-election, Labour made a song and dance about David Kerr falsely claiming to come from Dennistoun.

Indeed, Jay. We also highlighted his claims in a previous by-election that he was from Cumbernauld as well.

[...] I posted this article, both Tom Harris MP and Jonathan Isaby have made similar points on the [...]

It does not matter to me. However, in my county several vacancies have occurred (I shall not mention those resigning were villified for expense claims). None of the vacancies were filled by local candidates – indeed many did not even make the shortlist. The press reported this extensively – people being foisted on us etc etc.

The truth is that the local candidates might be very able as local representatives but really lacked the qualities needed to be an MP. However, they were very upset and briefed the press accordingly.

I am assuming that people have to go through some sort of party selection process to be officially approved as a likely MP? I do wonder if the process is reviewed every few years to check that suitability is still valid? I say that with some trepidation as candidates suitable ten years ago may no longer meet the criteria? The press reported that 300 people expressed an interest in one seat – is this feasible – I do not know? If so it indicates that the role of MP is in demand. No need to improve working conditions then????

It ain’t just the SNP. The Labour PPC for my constituency tried to plant doubt into voters’ minds by claiming he were a local lad, despite having been away since reaching working age, unlike John Thurso whose family more of less *built* the new town.

He failed.

>> The Luvvie Trot Ricky Tomlinson claims that the Labour PPC in his patch knows neither scouse ways, nor Liverpool, and threatens to stand himself I gather.

In any circumstances, 28 is too young for an MP. I would consider voting Tory in Calder Valley, whose Labour PPC differs from Georgina Gould in that she has more life experience so was able to conceal the sharp-practice better.

If you can only stand for election in the place where you grew up, it’s very unfortunate for anyone living in a safe seat who is not of the same political persuasion.

Surely not everyone who lives in Witney is a Conservative? But who’d want to run a campaign against our Dave, PM in waiting and best buddy of Ashcroft and Murdoch ?

You’d never compete against the Sun, let alone those posters.

Well you’re right Mr Harris, but only up to a point. The candidate has to at least give the impression of being conscious at some level of the world of the constituency. I can remember some young English Tory called Twistleton-Cholmondely or something like that standing in Maryhill. He was actually a nice guy and was visibly stunned when confronted with Glasgow sectarianism, but he was only there to get ‘blooded’ for a real constituency; he was the best of a bad bunch of Tory candidates that comes to mind.

The Scottish Tories no longer do that sort of thing, which is part of the reason they are regaining ground.

Terrible photo that of Harman and Milliband, I must say.

This would be an absolutely fascinating subject for you to discuss with your partner-in-podcasting, Jamie Reed MP.

Alec: You don’t think much of Pitt the Younger then?

Brought in progressive rates of Income Tax etc.

I think David Steel was elected in his mid twenties and introduced the Abortion Law reform Bill before he reached 30.

Some people are too often out of touch, such as Tom Harris’ first choice of Speaker, sextuogenarian Sir Geo Younger. The Baronet’s proposals for late Thursday H o C sessions I recall did not meet the requirements of those with constituencies outside the Home Counties.

To be fair, my first choice for Speaker was Parmjit Dhanda.

Right. For the avoidance of doubt, let me start by saying I am almost certainly the “regular commenter” Tom speaks of.
I was and am critical of my local MP in this matter, but not hugely so, and the comment Tom referred to was slightly in jest (I ended it by issuing a rejoinder for people to remember most politicians are working for the common good, and signed off saying we should’t forget it, and that I had a black kettle to clean)….

I am critical of my local MP, not because he’s local but because he left the area to serve elsewhere and only returned when the vacancy opened up, as it were; seems somehow disingenuous compared to (say) a local community activist that has worked in this community, stood as a councillor here, or worked in the local MP’s office etc.
But it is a small complaint, not a major one. If I were to criticise the man, there are more pertinent things to talk about that where he was a councillor etc.

None of the major parties are “clean” in this regard though; every party has at one time or another criticised the “local”-ness of a candidate etc.
Yet it shouldn’t matter that much; service to the community should be more important than origin. I myself am no native of my constituency, or even of Scotland, yet I may one day seek election here, because this is my home now, and I feel I can do something to help make it better…
My comment about being a thorn in his side btw was also in jest lest it was not obvious, although the Member in question may feel otherwise come the election; all depends on how successful the local party and my efforts therein are…

I think a lot of the issue really boils down to central party HQ’s “parachuting” in candidates who are seen as “carpet-baggers”; no local connection, no history of community involvement, merely the desire to be an MP wherever there’s a seat with a vacancy…
Now, over time (if they win) they may endear themselves to the local population (or not), but my own personal take on the situation is that a candidate who has worked locally for some time, helped out in the community etc. has proven their commitment to the area; someone who just turn up 6 months before an election, having never been there before, or having left many years before etc., they somehow lack that credibility..

It is a small issue though, and I must say kudos for the use of Tubbs and Edward…

Being young in those days meant something, Quiet. Now you have 28 year olds who can’t make an informed decision on whho to vote for in CBB.

Raise the voting age to 30. Oh, okay, 25 for women, 30 for men.

Being from the constituency isn’t necessary, but being “of” it is. Luciana Berger is fighting Liverpool Wavertree, right next door to Liverpool West Derby, where Stephen Twigg is standing for Labour.

Twigg also faces a challenge from a “local” “independent” Labour figure – the deselected MP, Bob Wareing – yet nobody seriously doubts he’ll retain the seat (even if Wareing damages his majority). By contrast, Ladbrokes are now offering the same odds (5/6) on both Berger and her Lib Dem opponent, Colin Eldridge, and 10/1 on Ricky Tomlinson.

The big difference is that Stephen has spent time in the constituency over almost a year, and has used that time to build support. For someone with a lot less time and more to do, his neighbour has made an array of mistakes, from the strategic (picking that seat at all, with her lack of local connection or national profile) to the tactical (running as “Luciana” instead of “Luci” in Liverpool, gods help her).

I think she’ll probably scrape a win, but that’s a ridiculous situation for someone inheriting a 5k plus majority.

Oh for the Good Young Days? When I were a lad . .

The minimum age for driving on public roads should definitely be increased, and exponentially depending on how many of the driver’s peers are in the vehicle. Four 22 year olds are a potentially lethal occupation of any car . . .

I pray that 12 – 17 year olds are simply encouraged to vote for representation on Youth Councils, as adjuncts to local Councils.On the while judgement becomes likely after 22 or so.

Oh ok, Fair Play, Tom only came round to the baronet as his second choice.

If an MP is going to represent local people, they should experience their constituents world.

Our local MP has made a big deal of being a local person for many years, but the expenses scandal showed that he has moved to London. Obviously, he expects us to buy him a house (rarely used) in the constituency, which is less than an hour away from SW1.

I want the local MP (and/or his dependants) to live locally. They don’t need to have been raised here, but I do expect them to use the same hospitals, schools, council services, roads and railways that the rest of us suffer. Hearing about it second-hand from a researcher or a newspaper isn’t the same.

If they are part of our community, they can properly understand local issues.

On the issue of age:

Is a 50 year old who has worked for the same firm all their life and never left the town they were born in more “life experienced” than a 28 year old who has backpacked around the world, started their own company, which then went bust and got pro-active in politics at a young age?

You can’t judge life experience simply by the number of birthdays a person has celebrated.

Now now Math you are going against the stereotype of the “insular” nationalist. You don’t want to confuse people.