Sir Stuart Bell ducks out of Middlesbrough Hustings

"Sir Stuart Bell, Middlesbrough’s MP for the last 27 years, has shown the contempt he has for his electorate by opting out of Thursday’s Hustings meeting at St Barnabas Church in Linthorpe, the one and only chance the people of Middlesbrough have to hear and question their general election candidates. His excuse? Church Commission business," writes Chris Foot-Wood, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Middlesbrough.

"I have long argued that MPs should not be spokespersons for any outside body, only for the people of their constituency. I have made a cast-iron promise that I will NOT be the parliamentary spokesperson for ANY outside organisation, ONLY for the people of Middlesbrough. Sir Start Bell is a Church Commissioner and is the official parliamentary spokesperson for the Church Commissioners. THIS IS WRONG! The people of Middlesbrough follow many different faiths and some adhere to no church. All must be equally represented by their MP without fear or favour or bias. That is my aim as your future MP."

Copy of an email sent to the other candidates from the Hustings organisers this morning:

Hello Mbro PPC's

I was sorry to hear this morning by email that Sir Stuart Bell could not attend the Hustings this Thursday evening because of Church of England Commissioner business. I gave 2-3 weeks notice and have had real difficulty contacting him only hearing from him today - if I had heard sooner perhaps I could have changed the Husting date. I hope this will not affect your coming.

 

Kind regards

Rob Tucker
Co-ordinator Mbro & Redcar
Friends of the Earth

Tel 01642-294580

>Middlesbrough & Redcar Friends of the Earth with Churches Together have arranged a hustings at St Barnabas Church Linthorpe, Thursday 29^th April, 7-8.30pm