What's in a name? Lib Dems put Twigger up against Labour's Twigg
The Liberal Democrats have chosen Knotty Ash councillor Paul Twigger to stand against former Labour minister Stephen Twigg for the West Derby seat at the next General Election.
Naturally this story caused a few chuckles in the newsroom.
My colleague Marc Waddington has written the story on it, click HERE to read it.
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David Bartlett
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I agree on the face of it this is quite funny, but the more ive thought about it the more slighty sinister i find it
Ive been involved in by elections where the BNP have paid candidates with similar names as sitting cllr to stand to steal their votes by confusion
In this current age of mistrust in politicans, is this funny? or is it a deliberate deception designed to fool voters
I never thought id be able to draw such a comparison between libs dems and BNP
I know this is a hopeless seat for lib dems but thats not the point.
And I dont belive for a 2nd thats its a coincidence.
for goodness sake. Paul Twigger was in Liverpool and involved in politics BEFORE Steven Twigg came anywhere near the place. For this to be a conspiracy the Lib Dems would have had to engineer Bob W''s deselection and then engineer Twigg's selection (not easy when so many labour bods applied).
Twiggie, you are likely to add to the confusion. I understood that the campaign supporters of Steven Twigg are calling themselves "Twiglets" so rather than calling yourselves a Twiggie, could I suggest, that supporters of Mr Twigger, in keeping with the theme, that a better collective name for his supporters might be "Pratzels"
Im aware that Cllr Twigger was elected 5 months before Stephen Twigg was selected.
I still maintain that if Stephen Twigg was not the candidate then the Lib dems would not of selected Twigger in a "BNP style" move, if memory served they have had the same "paper" candidate here for years. What a coincidence he is no longer standing
they should be ashamed.
The simple truth is that, if the LibDems had anything of consequence to put to the people of West Derby, they would have avoided all hint of confusion. Truth is, they haven't anything to say except confusion. That's the LibDems we know.
What a pathetic discussion this has turned into.
If we wanted to sink to the immaturity of the Labour posters here, the Lib Dems could just as easily claim Stephen Twigg was selected so that he could ride on the back of the popularity of a hard working local councillor!
For Labour to try and turn an amusing co-incidence into a chance to connect the BNP with a mainstream opponent - it not only demeans politics as a whole but also damages the efforts of all parties to expose the BNP as the nasty extremist nutters that they are.
I have to say, Andrew is right on this. The more I read what Ronnie says in his posts here, the more I get the feeling that he's what you might call a "political deramper". He's got very strong pro-Labour views and will always, yes, always take every opportunity of making personal insults at the Lib Dems and any other party that doesn't blindly follow the Mandelson party line - sometimes in jest, sometimes not [brassy blonde, etc]. This is Labour campaigning tactics of the worst kind, pure and simple, since they haven't got anything else to offer. I fully expect Ronnie to have a pop at me over this. Am I bothered? Erm...no.
It may be silly to try and associate this with the BNP tactic but if we are speaking of "campaigning tactics of the worst kind" the sitting Lib Dem Councillor Hurst is still the champion in that field and remains sitting until May so he can continue to collect his ã9k plus allowances. Stepping down because the story won't go away. No apologies from him or remorse, none from the leader either.
By the way has he stepped down from Mersey Travel's board which is worth another ã4K plus?
I've no idea what a 'deramper' is. But I like the sound of it! So welcome to the new Me. Anyhoo...to the scrutiny of wannabe LibDem MPs, I have a question or two for Andrew & his mate Streetwise, aka Colin Eldridge, just to get them in the mood for the hustings. First question: Do you think there should be more; about the same number; or fewer LibDems with criminal convictions in public office? Second question: Do you think standards in public life are improved; remain unaffected; or are grossly contaminated by retaining criminally convicted people as LibDem councillors in the Wavertree constituency? Third question: If elected as an MP, will Eldridge or Twigger or Keaveney support, overlook, or condemn LibDem councillors with criminal convictions? Final question: Which of these LibDem candidates have proved themselves fit for public office by formally and publicly condemning the convicted criminal, Cllr Steve Hurst? Straightforward questions; straightforward answers, please.