As we head into Easter weekend with a mini-government reshuffle, and attack ad controversy for the Tories, it’s a good job someone’s focusing on providing more fish & chips for the people. Read all about it in this week's Who's Top, Who's Not!
Flying High: John Healey and James Heappey
Common decency is too often in rare supply in Westminster. So, it was good to see an outbreak of warmth and cordiality in Parliament this week as Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey praised James Heappey, outgoing Armed Forces Minister, who announced he was resigning immediately from government and would not stand for reelection as an MP.
The politics didn’t quite disappear as Healey made a dig at the government for the multiple Chancellors and Prime Ministers we have had over the past few years, but Healey quickly showed his class by describing Heappey as "a rare constant in the turmoil of government".
Heappey’s resignation, along with a similar one from Skills Minister Robert Halfon, prompted a mini-government reshuffle and WTWN wishes Leo Docherty and Luke Hall the best of luck in their new roles.
Middle ranking: Steve Tuckwell
The UK faces sizable policy challenges – tackling inflation, dealing with the cost-of-living crisis and eliminating NHS waiting lists, to name just a few.
So, the good people of Uxbridge will be heartened to know that their MP, Steve Tuckwell, has his finger on the pulse of their major concerns and has launched a campaign to bring a new Fish & Chip shop to his constituency. Yes we can!
The cynics amongst you may question whether this is the best use of an MP’s time or whether this is the biggest concern facing Uxbridgians, especially when it turns out that Steve voted against a similar plan as a councillor a few years ago.
But WTWN thinks this new campaign will see his reelection all wrapped up and ensure he avoids a battering at the polls.
Sinking Quickly: Tory attack unit
Controversial political ads are nothing new, but the forthcoming general election is likely to see these ramp up, especially on social media.
The latest incarnation saw CCHQ’s social media team launch a new video attacking Sadiq Khan’s record on crime ahead of May’s London Mayoral election. Some may argue that the provocative tone of the clip means that it was widely publicized, discussed and shared on social media. But the clip was misjudged – with an ominous dystopian tone and American narrator – and misleading as it features shots of crowds from New York City.
For Londoners, there is a point to be made on Khan’s record on crime but clips such as this distract from the substantial arguments and actually avoid holding him accountable. And if CCHQ were hoping to use this clip to reach non-Londoners as part of an overall strategy to attack Labour’s record where in office, focus groups suggest that those living outside the capital see London as expensive, out-of-touch and crowded rather than crime-riddled.
Regardless, this is an emerging political trend and expect more of these US-style attack ads as both major parties are likely to fight the next general election down in the gutter.