Currying flavour - Labour style!

Posted By: Zulfiqar Ali
Date Posted: 23/04/2007

Campaign in full swing and it's gratifying all the offers of help that pour in.  I think Rochdale people appreciate all the hard work we do.  The free resident's parking has gone down well around the Infirmary.  Khalid, Paul Rowen and I our were canvassing there this week and residents were happy.

One advantage of knowing many residents is that when Labour tell a lie or get up to any mischief - residents talk to us.  Quite why Councillor Khan is following the postmen about is fascinating - are the Postal Votes being delivered?  That was just one thing reported to me today.

Dave from the office rang me this afternoon with an interesting newsletter - delivered not from Labour - but from someone in Pembroke Court in Central Rochdale.  A free curry for the residents - now firstly I must say this is very generous of the Labour Candidate - but against election rules.  What are Labour saying to our residents - this currying flavour is not good.  Tony Greaves (Now Lord Greaves of Pendle) made a point about bribery being rife in Asian Politics only a month ago.  What he was referring to was huge public meetings, the promise of free food and then hearing a party political broadcast - this is another thing entirely.  Could you imagine Greg Couzens, our candidate in Spotland giving out free haircuts or Dale Mulgrew, our Councillor in Balderstone and Kirkholt giving out free jokes?  What about Councillor Mark Birkett and free flying lessons or Naim Mahmud and free cricket lessons?

It is not on and I hope the Labour Party get severely reprimanded by the authorities for this blatant bribery!!!

Zulf