Tory MP claims Lefties are behind political abuse; fellow Tory MP undermines him
Robert Syms and the six words with which he undermined all of fellow Tory Simon Hart’s hard work.
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It should have been so easy for Tory MP Simon Hart.
All he wanted to do was sell a claim that “left-wing” activists were responsible for most of the abuse alleged to have taken place against MPs during the general election.
What a shame he reckoned without fellow Tory MP, Robert Syms.
While Mr Hart was putting together his story – hotly contested by Labour and Momentum – and sending it to the HuffPost, Mr Syms – the MP for Poole in Dorset – was calling a member of the public a “dick” on Twitter.
The worst part of it is, his point was perfectly valid. There was no reason for any added abuse. But he did it anyway.
Now, you might say that the two MPs were on completely different subjects – but were they?
Mr Hart was claiming that “Corbynism and Momentum” were responsible for the rise of abuse against right-wing MPs since the 2015 election – but I would like to suggest a different reason.
Isn’t it more accurate that the rise of the social media – like Twitter – has made it easier for us all to see the contempt in which some of our MPs hold us?
Mr Syms is just a minor example of this.
What about Anne Marie Morris, who thought she could get away with making a racist remark? Afterwards, I understand she tried to claim it was unintentional. How is anybody supposed to believe that? If you let something like that slip automatically, then it must be part of your regular phraseology.
What about Guto Bebb, who told a constituent he was“talking out of his arse”?
What about – and this must be the classic example – Sheryll Murray, who accused the Left of abusing her (including defacing her campaign posters) – without evidence – after she insulted members of the public at a hustings event?
These examples all came to light within the last week, so it is clear that there Conservative MPs have a serious problem with abuse – but not on the receiving end. They’re the ones dishing it out.
Oh, and what about these older instances (barring the Anne Marie Morris incident that we’ve already discussed)?
https://twitter.com/MxJackMonroe/status/885099402821500930
Mr Hart’s claim that he didn’t receive any information on abuse received by left-wing MPs also seems questionable: As recently as Sunday, Angela Rayner tweeted that “anonymous” right-wingers had accosted her after her appearance on The Andrew Marr Show to say her northern accent made her sound “thick” (meaning stupid, of course). And she wasn’t the only Leftie suffering abuse that day!
Despite these facts, This Writer agrees that it is not right to heap abuse on MPs – even those who see fit to pile abuse on others.
There simply isn’t any need to descend to insults. Simply let the facts do the work.
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I contend that Anne Marie Morris did not make a racist remark but used an antiquated expression; the two are not the same thing. She was not directing what she said at a particular person, or group; she was drawing attention to something. Whether, or not we like, or were offended by what she said, I think it wrong to call it a racist remark.
Tories are good at hurling sneering, nasty insults at political opponents, but they are unable to take any criticism, however slight. Nasty loathsome people.
I concur, its so discusting using that sort of language.
Any MP using that sort of language should be dispelled and that applies to all the parties..
The graffiti was in fact moderate and simply repeated the Tory policies, such as “Vote Simon Hart” with large black letters adding “HE’LL STEAL YOUR GRANS COTTAGE AND SELL IT”. Crabbs boards were similarly amended, the most popular seemed to be “Vote Crabb, FOR THE FEW NOT THE MANY”. Hardly what Diane Abbott had to put up with from Tories misogynistic and racist supporters.
Far from abusive, Indeed the Labour campaign was simply good campaigning and putting time and volunteers into the area. From what I saw, they were lovely polite, mainly “mature” people (retired). Hardly silver hot heads!