Hyndburn MP Graham Jones' concern over the rise of a ‘pro-politician’

9:56am Friday 13th January 2012 in Politics news

DISAPPOINTED Graham Jones MP DISAPPOINTED Graham Jones MP

HYNDBURN MP Graham Jones has described a survey of MPs’ backgrounds as ‘disappointing’ and ‘shocking’ – as it found more than one-third of MPs went to fee paying schools.

He said: “It shows the rise and rise of the professional politician.

“Our current representation includes few ex-manual workers which will reflect no doubt the number of working class MPs.

“As a pre-press person at a print works I am one of the dwindling 25 from a manual background.

“Teachers, miners, local government civil servants have also lost representation.”

Related links

Comments(8)

clickhere says...
10:29am Fri 13 Jan 12

And 75% of MPs didn't go to fee paying schools - which Graham Jones, I presume, thinks is 'good' (in that they are not from fee paying schools).
Sounds like our MP is a glass half empty rather than glass half full person.

Miners?? Are there any left? Someone is locked in the past, fighting old battles. methinks.

Report this post »

caballo says...
12:07pm Fri 13 Jan 12

Graham needs look no further than his own parties front bench!

Report this post »

Graham Jones MP says...
1:17pm Fri 13 Jan 12

clickhere wrote:
And 75% of MPs didn't go to fee paying schools - which Graham Jones, I presume, thinks is 'good' (in that they are not from fee paying schools).
Sounds like our MP is a glass half empty rather than glass half full person.

Miners?? Are there any left? Someone is locked in the past, fighting old battles. methinks.
I know I am working class but one-third is 33.3% and that leaves 66.6% not 75%. I think the rest of the points following a similar logic.

The point missed by caballo is I am making the point that the HoC should not be based on privilege but should be 'of common people'. A critique not a blessing of any privileged front bench.

I think you have turned the argument upside down on yourself and the got almighty confused.

Report this post »

BuckoTheMoose says...
1:18pm Fri 13 Jan 12

He's the one who came out with the rubbish about banning cash sales for scrap wasn't he?
Maybe that just goes to show that MPs need a proper education

Report this post »

Graham Jones MP says...
3:21pm Fri 13 Jan 12

BuckoTheMoose wrote:
He's the one who came out with the rubbish about banning cash sales for scrap wasn't he?
Maybe that just goes to show that MPs need a proper education
I did and your point is precisely??

Report this post »

Elegant1 says...
5:00pm Fri 13 Jan 12

Hi Graham
It would seem that some of the arguments are quite futile. Posters need to remember that the MP is primarily there to represent the people and as you are doing here, to report back to the electors from time to time.
My concern with the wealthy class in the cabinet does not represent anyone but the wealthy. Further MPs should remeber that they are there to represent their electorate and not to follow blindly the party line.
Keep up the good work Graham!

Report this post »

Keep Darwen Green says...
8:59pm Fri 13 Jan 12

With people leaving school nowadays with next to no job prospects, the lure of sitting on yer arse all day waffling on and getting paid for it becomes more and more appealing to all. So, whats the difference between an MP and someone who's unemployed?. The size of the cheque you suck out of the system for sitting and waffling.

Report this post »

Cllr Ken Moss says...
12:10pm Mon 16 Jan 12

As Graham himself has pointed out in the past, for such a perceived gravy train there are very few people queuing up for it. I'm a councillor for Rishton and the same applies at ward level. Whilst it doesn't pay anywhere near enough to give up work, I wouldn't fancy trying to climb the ladder and become an MP because it essentially means sacrificing your personal life. Phonecalls at all hours of the day and night, a constant stream of emails, very lengthy debates with people who will publicly try to pull you apart at every opportunity and endless other tasks simply to try and make life better for those who put you there in the first place. When you return home from your four nights in London you then have constituency work to do for the remaining three before hopping back on the train again. Your life is not your own and there is a steady torrent of flack from those who can't see what you are trying to do for them.

The salary is the compensation but you really, really have to want to do the job and serve your community. For all those who see being a Member of Parliament as a comfy ride I don't see many wanting to have a crack at it themselves.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree