In England we have a saying: "It's all over bar the shouting"; and that's how it is here, in the parliamentary constituency of Norwich North. For the by-election has come and gone; and our new Member of Parliament (MP), a Conservative, is Chloe Smith.
Until recently, our MP was Ian Gibson, a man well respected even by his political opponents. For besides being effective at the local level, he was often in disagreement with his own Labour Government, on issues that resonated with the wider public. But he fell foul of the "expenses scandal", that in recent months has dogged MP's. Many were of the view that he was guilty of little more than an indiscretion, when submitting his claims for expenses; but that was not how the party grandees saw it, when he was summoned to appear before them. Having heard his side of the story, they were unimpressed, and concluded that he would not be endorsed as the official Labour Party candidate for the next general election.
In the eyes of many, and especially of his supporters, this decision was seen to be a disproportionate response, by a committee, whose task it was to be objective when dealing with his case. Instead, they were accused of having seized the moment: the opportunity to get rid of someone who was perceived to be disloyal, to the Party in general and the government in particular. In response, (and though he could have remained an MP until the next election, and have collected a significant sum of money to help him to adjust to his new life, as one of us), Ian Gibson choose to resign from parliament, thereby bringing about the by-election.
By-elections are always of interest to the national headline writers, but this one was especially so; for it was seen as a pointer to the outcome of next year's general election. And it mattered especially to the Conservative Party, who, faced with an unpopular Labour Government, needed to prove that they could win in Norwich North. Rightly, as it turned out, the public perception was that the Labour Party candidate, "hadn't a prayer". But what of the the "Greens", the party of ecology: could they outmanoeuvre the Conservatives? After all, in the recent European elections for this area, they had significantly increased their share of the vote; and they are strong in local government.
Well, as if by magic, and overnight, as soon as the contest got under-way, billboards of the house, "For Sale" variety, appeared in sedate suburban gardens. Against a blue skyline, (the Conservative Party colour), was the image of Chloe Smith. Only 27, her manner of dress and style, was calculated to convey the reassuring notion that she has been around forever. And she was asking for our vote.
And shortly afterwards came the foot-soldiers; men and women making their way from door to door, either to engage the owner directly in support of their candidate, or alternatively, to push leaflets through letterboxes. And not infrequently these leaflets were from "no hoper's": Men and women who knew that they had no prospect of winning. But they were happy to take advantage of the heightened media interest, to promote their particular cause. So, before we go any further, here are some details of those who chose to put themselves in the spotlight, in Norwich North. And though there are twelve of them, don't despair, for each of them in their own way, are interesting, and collectively, a good advertisement for democracy: -
_____
For the Labour Party, Chris Ostrowski, age 28, a graduate of the University of East Anglia: -
Smartly dressed and wearing a red rosette, Chris was pictured against a backdrop of the City of Norwich with its 1,000 year old cathedral spire in the distance. He was, he told us: "standing up for a better Norwich North". And he was remarkably frank, (or was it naive): "I'm proud of Norwich and know it would be a huge honour to follow Ian Gibson as your MP. I'm not a career politician or a Westminster insider - I've never even worked in politics before". But, in the past, he had worked with the homeless in Norwich. And there was an obscure reference about keeping in touch with people in Norwich after: "I went to London to get experience running business". And he told us that we needed a strong voice at Westminster, and, that he was patriotic: "My grandfather came from Poland some 70 years ago to fight for this country in the Second World War". And against a background, (the colour of blood), he warned of the prospect of job losses in Norwich, if the Conservatives are returned to power next year. And there were quotes aplenty, from people of every walk of life, who were confident that Chris would do a good job as their MP.
For the Conservative Party, Chloe Smith, age 27: -
I have pictures aplenty of Chloe, always smiling, but looking ordinary. And I offer no apology for this observation, for everything that you see in election literature, is stage managed. From Ashford in Kent, she works in the City of London for Deloitte Touche, a firm of accountants and auditors to big city businesses. And she stole a march on Chris, with the personal touch: a hand written script, in which she claimed to have met "thousands of local people" in the eighteen months since her selection as, "your conservative candidate". As a consequence, she understood how disillusioned people were with politicians, because of their inability to tell the truth, and deliver on their promises. To which she added, underlined: "I want to be different". And how's this for nerve:
"That's why today, I'm publishing my contract with you, the people of Norwich North. You'll find it on the next page. I'd like you to read it, remember it, and - if I am elected as your Member of Parliament, hold me to what I promise at the General Election next year. And by that time, if you think I have broken any one of these promises, you should vote me out..."
For the Liberal Democrats, a local businesswoman, April Pond:-
As she appeared in her election literature, April, who looked warm and friendly, could have been your mother. And in terms of voter appeal, she should have been the ideal candidate. But, she went by the label, Liberal Democrat, which was sufficient to exclude her in the minds of many. A successful businesswoman, she has lived all her life in Norfolk. And guess what - she speaks with a motherly tongue:
"If I am elected I will bring [a] common sense attitude to cleaning up our broken political system. I have spent my life outside politics and think that what is good enough for the rest of us should be good enough for MP's as well."
She would, she told us, publish her expenses online every year and "fight to give voters the right to sack failing MP's". And there was lots of talk of "Real action on climate change. Real action for Norwich Jobs", and, yes, "Real action for older people".
For thee Green Party, Rupert Read :-
As you will have noted from the paragraphs above, there was an awful lot of, standing up, in this by-election. Rupert too was at it, "standing up for what's right". And his style was one of posing questions, before he get to promises:
"We need an individual who will create an impact in Westminster and who will stand up for Norwich North. Is that going to come from one of the three old established parties getting just one more MP? Is that new MP going to have the power to speak out for your concerns, and fight for you when their party disagrees?"
Among other things, he promised to work to create jobs in green industries. And very pertinent to protect "Norfolk's unique character". So he would oppose the governments plans for affordable housing on "large scale developments in the Norfolk countryside". Instead, the developments should be on brownfield sites (land previously built on), while at the same time, protecting the city's green spaces.
For the UK Independence Party, [UKIP) Glenn Tingle
On his election posters, Glenn was a serious looking man, in collar and tie; and, not someone that you would want to mess with: "UKIP" he told us, Was: "the only party in Great Britain to address the immigration debate in a non-racist and non-sectarian way". Norwich North, he claimed, was experiencing the pressure of unlimited EU Immigration. And because local jobs are being lost to cheaper labour from abroad, we had to, "take back control of our own borders". And while for Chloe, we were "Dear Residents"; for Glen, we were, "Dear Neighbours".
Now how is this for a coup, by a party that is racist; and especially if we remember Christ's injunction to, "Love one another as I have loved you". Their candidate was the Reverend Robert West, a clergyman with a solid looking jaw. And just visible behind his right shoulder was the cathedral spire. And in the political sphere, he was a traitor. "A former Conservative district councillor", who had come to the truth while serving on a "Racist Equality Council", where, "they did not practice what they preached". He was calling, among other things, for more police on the streets, a crackdown on asylum seekers and "Anti-Social Yobs". For, "British Jobs for British Workers", and exemption from taxation for those earning less than £15,000. And anyone interested in the nuances of language, must have been impressed with the passage headed: "The REAL Face of the BNP"
For the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, Howling Laud Hope.
If it is my fault I apologise, for I have nothing on the Monster Raving Loony Party. But that could be a part of their Loony philosophy. Because, by virtue of being Loony, when it comes to politics, they pride themselves in being colourfully beyond the norm.
For the Libertarian Party, 18 year old Thomas Burridge :-
In collar and tie, and standing, four-square before the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson, in the Cathedral Close, Thomas told us that he was waiting to go to university, after which he lambasted the government for the debt that we are in. Something that will affect his generation for some time to come. "Were we asked whether we wanted to be in debt throughout our lives?" he asks, before answering his own question with pomposity: "Certainly not"; and unaware it seems, that King's in the past, ran out of money big time, and had to borrow so that men like Nelson could go to war. And he was menacing. "I may not win this time, but I will be back in five years, and five years after that, and in another five years". By which time, "The politicians who are responsible for getting us into debt will be wallowing in their generous pensions or may be long gone, but their legacy of debt will remain".
For NOTA (None Of The Above), Anne Fryatt
I don't have a photograph for Anne, so I can't tell you how gorgeous she looks. But I can tell you that NOTA's motive was to encourage the apathetic to turn out to vote, for None Of The Above, as a way of pressurising the Electoral Commission to rethink the process, including their allocation of funds to political parties. And here from their flyer is, a verse - or two - or three, from what at best is a colloquial poem, or at worst, a full frontal attack on the notion of composition. But, in the context of the expenses scandal, it is highly pertinent:
The Honourable Shysters
They tried to hide it, a security risk
So we can't see they took the mick.
"I did no wrong, it was in the rules"
They takes us for a bunch of fools.
Honourable gentlemen and ladies too
I heard one bloke claimed for his loo.
Another claimed for porn and plugs
They just don't get it, who's the mugs.
Arrogance and hubris they both spring to mind.
Some suggest criminal but I'm trying to be kind
I want to be measured not wanting to gloat
Then somebody mentions "cleaning a moat".
"I followed the rules", so many have spoke
It don't seem to matter that the spirit was broke
But finally seeing, it's not a defence.
They offer reform to make recompense.
Too little too late, many have said
Time for a change vote for NOTA instead.
One lady asked, "What does NOTA mean love?"
I smiled and replied, "None of the above".
_____
For the, Put an honest man into parliament, candidate, the former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray:-
A Norfolk man by birth, with an MA (First Class) in Modern History from the University of Dundee, Craig Murray was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2002 to 2004. He is rector of the University of Dundee and an Honorary Research Fellow at the university of Lancaster School of Law. His book Murder in Samarkand, chronicles his time in Uzbekistan. A journalist and broadcaster he is Executive Chairman of Atholl Energy Ltd, "a company which in the last twelve months has exported almost 20 million pounds of British manufacturing goods". As British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, he resigned in protest at the government's continuing support for a regime that used torture, (as a matter of routine).
For himself, as an Independent, Bill Holden: -
Sorry, but I have nothing on Bill. Though I must confess that much of the election material that we have received, has long gone to the recycle bin.
Peter is an affable looking chap, and the only candidate whose election literature made me laugh: -
"Hello, my name is Peter Baggs. I have spent most of my life as a plasterer running a small business in the Midlands, looking after customers, and employees, and, by and large, enjoying every minute. But now, totally disillusioned by the state of the country and the way it is run, I thought that there must be a better way. I have always believed in the common sense and general intelligence of my fellow Brit, so why not trust in them. After all, if it is us who have to pay for our countries mistakes, then we should have the opportunity not to make them in the first place..."
And appropriately, he has this pragmatic piece of advice. Vote, because if you don't you'll get what you deserve. And you should be able to find him at www.ivote4u.co.uk
_____
Now the greatest changes of all that has happened in my lifetime in respect of elections, are the hustings: the means whereby politicians get their message across to the wider public. And the principal factor in this change, (the Internet accepted), was the widespread availability of television. Soon it became apparent to our leaders, that addressing a few hundred people in draughty old public buildings, was pointless, when you could, (superficially at least), "meet the people" in safety, and in the comfort of their own home. So public meetings have been on the decline, and where they exist, are not what they used to be; and the end result, for these and other reasons, (including a greater affluence), has been apathy, on a scale that belies the struggle that previous generations of men and women endured, for the right to vote. But as is the case with most things that are in decline, public meetings are, "not giving up without a fight". So let me tell you about two of them.
When I attended the public meeting held by Craig Murray, of the "Put An Honest Man Into Parliament", variety, there were twelve people in the audience, two of whom were his election officials. Another was my wife, so at best, 9 households were represented. And here, for ease of mental effort, is the rest of the story, as it appears in my diary:
"Craig Murray is campaigning under the slogan, "Put An Honest Man Into Parliament"; and the flyer that came through the door was impressive. An intellectual and man of principle, he resigned as ambassador to Uzbekistan over the governments continuing support for a regime that used torture as a matter of routine. But conspicuously absent from the flyer, was any indication of what he hoped to achieve, as MP, for "ordinary people", (or whatever phrase you care to use). Well, hearing that he was holding a meeting here in .......... myself and Jenny went along. There were twelve people in the audience, two of whom were his election agent and a helper. As the meeting went on I found myself becoming impatient. Not only was Craig Murray talking at inordinate length about what was wrong with the political system, but instead of making contact with his audience, he was pacing backwards and forwards across the floor. It had the feel of an academic lecture, with the man at the podium unburdening himself for the benefit of his audience. With almost three quarters of an hour gone, I was looking at my watch, and working out how much longer I would wait before interrupting him, when Jenny did just that, with a comment relating to his views on the economy. A few moments after that, I interrupted, and in effect, gave him a hard time.
Having expressed my concern about him being an academic, I asked if he could give an example of how he "got his hands dirty" on behalf of ordinary people. I explained, that if I was going to give him my vote I needed to be convinced that he could deal, in a practical way, with issues. That, and Jenny's interruption, sparked off a two-way conversation with the audience. As a consequence, he came across better, so that by the end of the meeting, we had a clearer ideas as to what he might achieve. So we decided that we would give him our vote. And, on the way out I purchased a copy of his book, Murder In Samakand, and on the following day I sent him this e-mail:
By way of introduction, I am the man who at last nights meeting asked the provocative question about "getting your hands dirty". Up to that point I was not persuaded that I would vote for you. But I though that you were more effective responding to pressure from the floor, and it was in this part of the meeting that I decided I would give you my vote.
Our house is at .. .......... ........ and occupies a prominent position on a busy road, and also in relation to traffic coming down ...... Road and ...... Road; so if you have election posters, (preferably on sticks), that could be posted either side of the gate, we would be happy to display them.
I say we, because my wife Jenny has asked me to say that she would be happy to help with your campaign in some way, though not delivering posters .... . If you are interested, she can be contacted at ............. or on 12345 678910.
And a few small points that you might like to consider in the few weeks left for campaigning. I think you would do better with a short, ten minute introduction, before asking the audience to participate, at which point you can weave your personal concerns into the questions. I am not lacking in attention span, but I thought that your addressing the audience for three quarters of an hour, without interruption, went against you, as did your pacing up and down as academics do. There is nothing whatever wrong in being a man of ideas, but you are there to make contact with people, and you would be more effective, making eye contact with them. For me, at least, your pacing up and down left me feeling marginalised. Not everyone is comfortable kissing babies or shaking hands. But both I and Jenny had a better idea of who you were and what you might achieve, when responding to the audience.
Cormac"
_____
I have too few years of life left, ever to be persuaded to vote Conservative. But I went, none the less, to hear Chloe Smith. I wanted to get some sense of who she was, what her abilities were, and to see as to whether the attendance at her meeting, suggested that she was likely to be the winner. When I arrived, about ten minutes later than I had intended, she was seated at a table, engaging her audience of about 20, in a question and answer session. The rest, for there were about 25 altogether, I took to be a combination of election officials, and minders. For as you will discover, later, one of the ladies serving tea at 65p a cup, was more than a tea lady. (And no disrespect whatever, intended, to tea ladies).
As I sat there listening to questions that were uninspiring, and that tended to degenerate into ambling conversations, I was not impressed, but rather, saddened; for they were predictable to the point where Chloe could ramble on without offending anyone. And the more I listened, the more I was in danger of admiring her capacity for boredom. But there were too, some important and interesting issues.
A group of women, (including the tea lady), came to life, expressing their concern about the planned closure of a nearby unit for the severely handicapped. Apparently it is well equipped and staffed with the one-to-one attention that these disabled people need. But it is scheduled to close in the new year, apparently, in keeping with government plans, relating, I think, to care in the community, or some such noble sentiment. So rather than being in a situation that meets their special needs, these severely disabled people are to be moved to residential homes; an idea that was causing some distress, because the ladies in question, who know them, were convinced that they simply won't cope without the one-to-one support.
And a primary school head teacher, as one would expect, was eloquent in outlining the bureaucratic problems associated with budgeting over a three year period. After a lot of effort, the goalposts would change, and all this hard work would have to be revised. He was not unsympathetic to the Local Education Authority, who were moving the goalposts of necessity, according to their changed circumstances, i.e., reduction in anticipated income. But he hoped that Chloe would apply her mind to finding a less bureaucratic, and thereby easier way of dealing with such issues.
Now I had not intended to ask any questions, simply to observe. But such was the general tedium, that I asked how she would address the question of apathy in politics. And as her answer was predictable, I took it a stage further and spoke briefly about possible strengthening of the powers of select committees.
Much later, someone, whom I took to be a Conservative, mentioned Ian Gibson, acknowledging that he was well respected as an MP beyond his own Party, and asked Chloe, what, if elected, she would take by way of example from him. She was generous in her praise of Ian Gibson, stopping short, but not over indulging on the question of his expenses, and indicated what it was in his approach to local politics, that she would hope to emulate.
Now this reference to Ian Gibson, provided me with just the right moment for my next question:
"In this context, may I ask another question. Given that you are young and relatively inexperienced, (and I mean no disrespect whatever) by that, can you tell me why I should vote for you, rather than for Craig Murray, who is a man of proven ability, as an academic, as an author, in business, and in politics, and as someone who stood up to the government on a matter of principle?"
Now, while I appreciated the potential for mischief in this question, I asked it, not to create controversy, but rather to see how capable she was of thinking on her feet. In broad terms she accepted that she hadn't Murray's experience, but spoke of her youth, energy, interest in people and their issues, as demonstrated by this meeting, and the efforts that she had made to meet people since being selected as the Conservative candidate. If Mr Murray is doing that, she told me, well, good luck to him; and after a pause, that she was not going to "criticise him". And, (without rancour), that if I was to walk out of the meeting and vote for Mr Murray, well that was OK.
Well, for thinking on her feet, I gave her 4 out of 10, and here's why. Firstly, I hadn't, as her response implied, asked her to criticise Craig Murray, and there was a perfectly acceptable answer that she could have given without doing so. Which brings me to the related second point. In her reply, she never mentioned the party to which she belonged, which reasonably, (from her point of view), she could have described as: dynamic, with a clear plan for the future, and with resources, both human and intellectual, i e., research, that she could draw on for support.
And interestingly, it was the tea lady who effectively brought the meeting to a close.
After a considerable interval I had just indicated that I would like to ask a further question, but that I was willing to give way to a man behind me, who had not had the chance to ask a question, when the tea lady intervened. This, she made clear, would have to be the last question, "because as I am sure you all realise, Chloe has had a very busy day..." I looked at my watch, and it was twenty to nine, 20 minutes before the meeting, (as publicly advertised), was due to end.
Now I have no proof whatever for what I am about to say but, I believe it to be true. Having made the comparison between Chloe Smith and Craig Murray, it was obvious, that I was not a Conservative. And not knowing who I was, and fearing what my next question might be, the tea-lady, over anxious on Chloe's account, brought the meeting to a premature end.
And a last thought on Chloe and the Conservative Party.
Though I would never vote Conservative, as I sat through the meeting, I felt a genuine sadness. For here was a young, ambitious woman, who, if the attendance was anything to go by, had singularly failed to inspire the young, and interest them in politics. With the exception of a boy of about twelve, who was there with relatives, the youngest, in a depressingly small and predictable audience, were well into middle age. And there was nothing about Chloe, in the manner of her response to the boy, when he asked, how to become a politician, that lead me to believe that she had a natural afinity with the young.
And the last word must go to Craig Murray, not because I voted for him, but for what I thought, (in terms of electioneering), was a stroke of genius.
On the morning of Chloe Smith's meeting, I picked up a crumpled leaflet. It had jammed on its way through the door. It was from Chloe Smith. But, when I turned it over, it was from Craig Murray. And when I turned it back to Chloe Smith, the penny dropped. Tapping in to the old rivalry between Norwich City and Ipswich Town, whose football fans hate each other with a passion, Craig was letting it be known, that before she was adopted as the Conservative Party Candidate for Norwich North, Chloe, had tried and failed to be adopted as the candidate for Ipswich. "No wonder she wears a blue rosette!" the leaflet screamed. And there was more, and that, despite the fact that, here in England, we have yet another saying: "Never kick a man when he's down".
"Chloe, who is in her mid-twenties, is from Ashford in Kent and is now a young City of London whizz-kid who works for financial service company Deloitte Touche. Deloitte Touche were accountants and auditors to the Royal Bank of Scotland/Natwest group before it went bust and was bailed out with billions of your taxes".
_____
© Cormac McCloskey
Murder In Samarkand
Author: Craig Murray
Publisher: Mainstream Publishing 2006
ISBN 9781845962210
The Norwich North by-election results declared on 24/07/09
Turnout: 45%
Total nmber of votes cast:
Votes as cast: -
Chloe Smith, Conservative: 13,591
Chris Ostrowiski, Labour: 6,243
April Pond, Liberal Democrat: 4,803
Glenn Tingle, UK Indepencence Party: 4,068
Rupert Read, Green Party: 3,350
Craig Murray, Put an honest man into parliament: 953
Robert West, British National Party: 941
Bill Holden, Independent: 166
Howling Laud Hope, Monster Raving Loney Party: 144
Anne Fryatt, None Of The Above: 59
Thomas Burrige, Libertarian Party: 36
Peter Baggs, Independent: 23
Note: This blog, "Living, in Norwich North", was first published on Windows Live Spaces, by me, on 24th July 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment