Tory Helen: I'd have a second home

concerned wrote:

Please can I refer people to this: http://stuartjeffery.blogspot.com/2010/03/helen-grant-apologise-now.html

I'm not necessarily a supporter of the Green Party, but in researching the various candidates, I've been shocked to learn of the contempt with which she seems to view her prospective constituents.

A leaflet through my door today (the first Conservative one that seemed exclusive to Maidstone, all the others have glossy photos of David Cameron and vague statements not specific to the local campaign) stated that the Lib Dems have started a smear campaign against Helen Grant. As far as I know, all the things they have said are true: she was a member of the Labour party, she wants a second home and she wants a second job.

Grant's counter attack which definitely WAS a smear campaign seems desperate and childish. It first told me that if I'm going to vote Lib Dem, there really are some things I ought to know about their policies. I found it patronising to assume a Lib Dem voter would not know some of their core policies and values. It also stated that she would not keep a second job, which has confused me, because I heard her personally state that she would. And then it uses quotes from Ann Widdecombe to defend her. So are we supposed to think, oh, if Ann Widdecombe says it's alright then it's fine.

Ms Grant must stop assuming that everyone in Maidstone is stupid and put in a bit more effort to campaign positively. I wonder why she could not attend the Cranbrook hustings or take part in a quiz in the KM about the local town? Too busy with the second job?

04 May 2010 6:02 PM

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S.H. wrote:

Yesterday, a Conservitave flyer came through my door, so i read it, it included a mobile phone no, so i text Helen Grant a question, 36 hours later, i have not had a reply. If she can't be bothered now to win my vote, she won't put in any effort after Friday. She couldn't be bothered to do a poll the KM done a few weeks ago, or attend a debate in Cranbrook. Poor show.

04 May 2010 5:21 PM

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Bex wrote:

57 minutes from Marden to London. I feel far more outraged by the prospect of paying full wages for a part time MP and buying her second home - which she'll want to furnish - at our expense!! Use the train, like everyone else has to - I'll buy her a cake tin myself.

04 May 2010 4:53 PM

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Mark Mears wrote:

Alot has been said abut Mrs Grant choosing Maidstone & The Weald as it's a 'safe seat', Mr Carroll made out is was for 'political gain'. Could it not be said that campaigning along side Mrs Lumley to help the much deserved Gurkhas was a publicity stunt to help 'political gain'?

Also everyone bangs on about expenses, although this may sound petty did no-one else feel outraged by the lib dem leaders expense claim for a £2.49 cake tin? Please let's get real!

Another point about Mr Carroll, he gets worked up very easily, do we not an MP that can keep their cool under pressure like Mrs Grant?

Oh and another fact, our esteemed question master is wrong, the train journey from Maidstone East to London andI believe Marden is more than an hour!!!
Rant Over

01 May 2010 8:15 PM

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Steve Sheppard wrote:

I find it hard to understand how anyone can actually call the evenings event a "Hustings" ?? It was certainly the most boring one Ive ever attended. Peter Carroll was given the majority of microphone time by the Chairman and even then decided to shout at us rather than use the microphone but I guess living in Folkestone he has to shout to be heard in Maidstone!!

01 May 2010 3:36 PM

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Graham Edy wrote:

I was at the Hustings and could hardly believe what I was hearing when Helen Grant said she would claim for a second home and keep working as a family lawyer. After all the public outcry about over the expenses scandal and with the possibility of criminal proceedings against one or more MPs the Tories still don't "get it". People want their MP to do the job full time and to only claim for legitimate expenses in direct connection with their duties as an MP.

01 May 2010 3:10 PM

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Linda Nappin wrote:

When most people get a new job, they move their children with them and they leave their old job- they don't buy a new home in the new area, keep their children in their old home and also keep their old job as well. It sounds rather greedy to me and will leave everyone feeling short changed.

01 May 2010 9:41 AM

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Bex wrote:

Front page KM today - benefit cheat - 22k from the taxpayer whist selling goods on ebay. Awaiting sentence. Inside - Tory Helen Grant 66k min + second home and expenses from same taxpayer whist continuing to earn money from her job as a lawyer. Awaiting election. Goose and Ganders ????

30 Apr 2010 5:01 PM

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Ranter wrote:

...and only a few years ago Ms Grant was a PPC for THE LABOUR PARTY. As a natural Tory voter I vowed not to vote for her while I lived in the constituency as she represents everything that is wrong with the party today. Nothing learned from anything that has happened over the past year around expenses but then she ticks certain boxes and was more or less imposed. Unfortunately Maidstone will vote her in.

30 Apr 2010 6:56 AM

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linda casey wrote:

No change from the Tories then - despite what they are trying to hoodwink the voters with. Helen Grant wants to be a part time MP on a full time salary, continue to be paid as a lawyer and claim expenses on a second home. The contempt with which ordinary hardworking people regard this behaviour has clearly totally passed her by. Perhaps she thinks she is in a 'safe' seat and can carry on like this. Hope the voters of Maidstone let her know that we really do want change and that doesn't mean voting for her and more of the same old, same old. She is treating voters as though we were born yesterday.

29 Apr 2010 7:34 PM

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derrick stevens wrote:

So if Mrs Grant is elected Maidstone will be stuck with a part time MP and one that expects the taxpayer to pay for a second home. Same old same old. So much for the tory slogan "time for change"

29 Apr 2010 6:12 PM

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JT. wrote:

Brilliant debate only spoiled by the mouthy Tories in the crowd falling over with elation at anything HG said and refusing to let anyone else be heard. I think Ms Grant showed her true colours here - every other candidate is willing to put 100% into doing the best for Maidstone. She seems to only have her own interests at heart.

29 Apr 2010 4:18 PM

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