YOUR VIEWS
ALL ABOUT HIM – NOT ISSUES
“…PRIDE is at the bottom of all great mistakes,” wrote the Victorian critic John Ruskin.
“Personally, I feel it was the wrong time to lose,” was the quote from the former Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, in the Accrington Observer, dated the 3rd January.
“Well, he would say that wouldn’t he,” to paraphrase Mandy Rice-Davies, during the Profumo scandal.
Graham Jones cites Jeremy Corbyn as the reason for his downfall, noting the leader of the Opposition’s negative approval ratings.
Mr Jones himself, however, then goes on to mention in the article his own great Parliamentary strides since first being elected as a NEW MP in 2010, and that for the poor constituents of Hyndburn, it is all back to square one now.
He even goes onto mention 73 constituents who will not transfer their cases to the new MP, as these now, poor disposed fellows, will only use him.
What does he suggest – we cancel the result of the election and reinstate him as our MP because he knows what time the Parliamentary canteens open.
Using the former MPs logic, no MP with over 5 years experience should ever have to face the humiliation of being voted out by his constituents, and certainly not if that same MP has had a promotion to chairperson of a London based, Parliamentary committee.
Graham Jones’s comments in the article were more about his Parliamentary career and less about the critical issue of the election.
Mr Jones failed to understand that his job was to take the issues of Hyndburn to Westminster, and not just bring the London centric, remain driven, Labour Westminster ideology to Hyndburn.
As a self-confessed remainder, it is hardly surprising Mr Jones made no mention in the article of his voting record on BREXIT and that it was at odds with the majority of his constituents, who voted by two thirds to leave the EU.
This was his big mistake, driven by I suspect, by hubris.
Hyndburn does NOT always vote Labour and to disregard the will of your constituents is at your professional peril, Mr Jones.
Mr Jones finishes the article with the statement – this is not the end, and that he is looking to re-enter politics and stand again at the next election.
If this parliament runs a full term, I note that Mr Jones will be 58 in five years time.
By definition, if elected, he would be entering Parliament as the NEW MP, starting out again at square one, and less than 15 months short of his 60th birthday.
That of course, depends on whether his own Labour party and the constituents of Hyndburn, feel he will represent them and their views more faithfully a second time around.
Graham Smith
Percy Street Accrington
CRICKETING MEMORIES
AS a cricket lover I was delighted to hear that Clive Hubert Lloyd had been awarded a knighthood the New
Year Honours list and was interested to read the article by Chris Ostick (Accrington Observer Friday,
January 3, 2020).
Clive came to Lancashire as a young man to play as Professional for Haslingden Cricket Club in 1967 and 1968 whilst gaining qualification to play for Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Those who played with and against him and the many more who had the pleasure of watching him play will remember the tall, slim (gangling) cricketer not only for his explosive batting but also for his exploits in the field where he covered the ground with his huge strides and pounced like a panther before throwing the ball with the unerring accuracy of an Exocet missile into the wicket keeper’s gloves.
Many a player will remember being run out like that by him.
The excellent Lancashire Cricket League website provided and curated by Nigel Stockley records that in his two seasons with Haslingden Clive played 52 League matches and in his 47 innings scored 1,997 runs at an average of 53.97.
Among those were two scores of 96 not out and 75 not out in matches at Bentgate against my own club Accrington in 1967 and 1968 during which he constantly drove our Professionals (Frank Misson and Grahame Corling – both Australian test opening bowlers) over into the Cattle Market which then adjoined the field.
Congratulations Sir Clive and thanks for the memories.
Peter West
Deputy Chairman
Lancashire Cricket League
THE WISHFUL THINKER.
I’m nicely capacious; A stately Titanic, NOT paunchy or portly
Or hippopotamic!
My backside’s been blessed
With two buttocks supreme,
More KING-SIZED than outsized
Or – broad in the beam! I’m built like a boxer Whose brawn is superb,
NOT Summo-type wrestler
Whose blubber’s absurd! I feel monumental: I tower like the trees, I’m Atlas – Goliath, The new Hercules!
Jean Holden Queen Elizabeth Crescent, Accrington
MAKING A NEW START
The new year is a good time to start,
To boost your way to a healthy heart.
Off course we know this is easier said than done,
But a few simple tweaks doesn’t have to spoil your fun. Snack on a handful of nuts rich in Omega 3,
Protect the heart keeps the arteries inflammation free.
Don’t have too much as they are calorifically high,
They lower cholesterol levels, give them a try.
Loneliness can lead to high blood pressure and risk of disease,
Meet up with friends,do new things that will please.
Cut down on booze, avoid liver damage and cancer,
To give it up altogether is definitely the best answer.
Choose new ways of cooking and preparing your meal,
Avoid frying in butter,improve how you feel.
For flavour add spices,herbs, lemon juice and no salt,
Hopefully abnormal heart rhythm and high blood pressure comes to a halt.
To lose weight is an excellent path to go down,
Faced by too many extra calories you must frown.
Eat more fruit and veg,aim for five a day,
Exercise much more to burn your weight away.
Wishing you peace,love,health and happiness in twenty twenty.