Being an MP and a Councillor at the same time

[calibrax]

At the election here in Rochester, the Conservative candidate, Kelly Tolhurst, sent out a leaflet and in it she said that she ran a thriving business.

As a voter in this area, I asked on her Facebook page if she would be able to devote 100% of her time to being an MP and representing her constituents, or would the business still take up a portion of her time. The reply was that she would appoint people to run her business and she would devote all her time to her parliamentary duties.

Come election day, it turned out that as well as being the Conservative candidate for MP, she was also down as standing for the local elections as a councillor.

Someone posted on her Facebook page and asked which box should she tick to vote for her. The reply was "Both!". Another person replied to that and said "But you told Calibrax you would devote all your time to being an MP". No reply was given to this. So on Saturday I replied "Typical politician, tells you what you want to hear. She was clearly hedging her bets in case she lost and she would have the council job to fall back on. But I don't expect you'll get a reply, in fact I would not be surprised if this comment was deleted. It's disgraceful."

Sunday morning... as predicted, the comments are gone, deleted. And I can no longer post on the page.

Kelly Tolhurst was elected as MP, and also elected as a councillor.

Thoughts? Am I making too much of this? She's lied to the electorate, and censored criticism, as well as taking two jobs when she should be concentrating on one or the other. Is this just what we should expect from politicians and we should just let them get away with it?

[steveatesh]

This really does depend upon what you want to put your finite amount of energy into - getting on with your life or taking on the machine. Unless you get fun out of the latter, then maybe just getting on with life is the best option?

[98elise]

Its quite normal for a councillor to have a day job. Councillor is not a full time salaried position. If it were not something you could do in your spare time then it would only be open to the rich or the retired.

My father was a councillor for quite a few years, as well as having a full time job. He also gave his time to other volunteer services such as St Johns, First Responder etc

Being an MP is a job, which is why its salaried, but it doesn't mean you cannot be a councilor as well.

Edited by 98elise on Sunday 10th May 20:52

[Vaud]

To be honest, I'd judge them on their outcomes.

[ofcorsa]

98elise said:

Its quite normal for a councillor to have a day job. Councillor is not a full time salaried position. If it were not something you could do in your spare time then it would only be open to the rich or the retired.

My father was a councillor for quite a few years, as well as having a full time job. He also gave his time to other volunteer services such as St Johns, First Responder etc

Being an MP is a job, which is why its salaried, but it doesn't mean you cannot be a councilor as well.

Edited by 98elise on Sunday 10th May 20:52

If that was the case why the subterfuge?

[98elise]

ofcorsa said:

98elise said:

Its quite normal for a councillor to have a day job. Councillor is not a full time salaried position. If it were not something you could do in your spare time then it would only be open to the rich or the retired.

My father was a councillor for quite a few years, as well as having a full time job. He also gave his time to other volunteer services such as St Johns, First Responder etc

Being an MP is a job, which is why its salaried, but it doesn't mean you cannot be a councilor as well.

Edited by 98elise on Sunday 10th May 20:52

If that was the case why the subterfuge?

Not really subterfuge if the prospective MP/councillors name appears on the ballot papers. Its up to the electorate to decide if they feel somone can be a councillor and an MP at the same time.

[ofcorsa]

I mean't why delete the messages questioning the MP about her response?

[calibrax]

ofcorsa said:

I mean't why delete the messages questioning the MP about her response?

Yes, that's the bit that's annoyed me more than anything. She could have simply answered the question, but she (or whoever runs her Facebook page) decided to bury the question.

[wc98]

establishment politician behaves like establishment politician and you are surprised

[Starfighter]

Anyone servicing in an elected position should be barred from standing in another election. If you are a councillor and want to stand as an MP then quit the council position first.

Same applies to a mayor standing as an MP - yes, Boris. I mean you....

[jogon]

Did you seriously vote for this women?

http://youtu.be/gkqa4Yduikc

Bat st mental comes to mind. Should have stuck with Reckless.

[calibrax]

jogon said:

Did you seriously vote for this women?

http://youtu.be/gkqa4Yduikc

Bat st mental comes to mind. Should have stuck with Reckless.

No, I didn't vote for her in the end. But I agree with you, Reckless was a good MP, and it's a real shame he didn't keep his seat.

[JuniorD]

Kelly is bit of a political genius though

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tory-mp-kell...

Cringe!