Forum Topic

Circular sent by Lee Roberts’ office

With some trepidation, I ask for your views. Yesterday I received a circular newsletter and survey from Lee Roberts in which he styles himself “Your Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman”. This I find misleading and disingenuous. Putney already has a Parliamentary Spokesperson, and that is our MP, Fleur Anderson.In the newsletter Mr Roberts cites two case histories in which he has apparently ‘stepped in’ to help a man get an operation on his leg and “saved the Sweet Tooth Cafe from closure”.Is it possible that some Putney residents might think that Lee Roberts is actually our MP?

Catherine Schade ● 906d14 Comments

Thanks, Ed; interesting - I wonder how many outside of politics are aware of that? I suppose they can be considered spokes people for their political parties (as I hinted earlier) but still seems confusing as it implies they are part of parliament whereas only our local MP, Fleur Anderson, is the elected member of parliament. I find the term prospective parliamentary candidate less so … 

Michael Ixer ● 905d

There is an explanation in the link below which is interesting.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospective_parliamentary_candidate

Ed Robinson ● 905d

"it's not just the nasty tories, its nasty labour too."I'll bet that I know who started it.And Starmer just copied them.

David Ainsworth ● 905d

Yes they are all misleading so back in your box Nick it's not just the nasty tories, its nasty labour too.Half expect the ( I'll sleep with anyone who gives me power) libdems are at it too.

Andy Pike ● 905d

Shouldn't they put "potential" in front of "Parliamentary Spokesperson" then?

David Ainsworth ● 905d

Far enough, they're all trying to mislead; spokesperson≈candidate …

Michael Ixer ● 905d

A quick Google and it seems to be used by all parties. Labour Peter Smith - Parliamentary Spokesperson, SW Norfolk; Chair, NW ...https://rsnld.org.uk/en/page/parliamentary-spokespersonhttps://www.eastbournelibdems.org.uk/josh-babarinde-obeJosh Babarinde Eastbourne & Willingdon Parliamentary Spokesman

Ed Robinson ● 905d

The Conservatives ran 635 candidates in the 2019 election. Hard to believe they all would say the same thing. Too many competing factions. It’s just a way of giving their candidates a “proper political job” sounding title and is grossly misleading. More or less what we've come expect. Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 905d

I wish he was, Talks Common Sense !

Vic Condon ● 905d

It's misleading.

Philippa Bond ● 905d

An interesting legal question; can one claim to be a parliamentary spokesperson if one isn't a member of parliament? A bit like those people that phone one up and say they're from the HMRC? Is suppose if they state that they're representing Mr Sunak et al who are members of parliament and the government it may be reasonable?

Michael Ixer ● 906d

Just more spin by the Con(servative) Party. He’s just their candidate at the next general election, which is what he should be called. He hasn’t won an election yet. These fingers crossed he won’t.
Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 906d

And in Battersea:-https://www.wandsworthconservatives.co.uk/news/cllr-tom-pridham-selected-battersea-parliamentary-spokesperson

David Ainsworth ● 906d

It seems to be policy.https://www.plymouthconservatives.org.uk/news/city-conservatives-select-new-parliamentary-spokesperson-ahead-next-general-electionhttps://www.twickenhamconservatives.com/news/discussing-governments-long-term-plan-housinghttps://www.bedfordandkempston.org.uk/news/welcome-pinder-chauhan-our-parliamentary-spokesperson

David Ainsworth ● 906d