Questions MP would do well to answer
I’M grateful to Mr Mcfadden and his letter (“Where is Mr Randall? We never see him!”, Opinion, November 17) which drew attention to the absence in public of Tom Randall MP and had the desired effect in the form of a “bemused” and largely unconvincing response from the man himself (“Bemused at claim I’m not around in Arnold”, Opinion, November 23).
This brought to mind that a year or so ago he circulated to constituents a publication “Tom Randall Reports Back” and prompted the thought that in order to prove his engagement with the electorate we might be expecting (apprehensively?) Mr Randall’s next “Report Back”.
In an effort to assist him
I have some topics he might like to report back on.
First, a report on why he “voted for sleaze” by supporting a change in the disciplinary process relating to standards to try and get a former Government minister found guilty of illegal lobbying “off the hook”. Mr Randall, I believe, has a legal background so his defence of this shabby attempt to change rules to get a dodgy mate “off the hook” to avoid punishment should make interesting reading!
Secondly, the reasons for his support for the morally reprehensible decision to cut the overseas aid budget, so breaching one of his party’s 2019 manifesto commitments. By the way, Mr Randall, no-one believes it will be temporary! This vote effectively takes food and humanitarian aid from starving people. Even Theresa May, no friend of the dispossessed, voted against this despicable proposal. Your defence, Mr Randall?
Thirdly, can we have an explanation for why he voted to break another manifesto commitment – that homes would not have to be sold to fund social care – by voting to change the formula that would have protected the savings of less well-off pensioners. Effectively a vote to create a “working-class dementia tax”.
Just an initial three topics which arise from a scrutiny of Mr Randall’s voting record and on which the Gedling electorate deserves answers or justifications.
Richard Chamberlain
Carlton