A Common Column?

Those who take a keen interest in local politics will have noticed that Mr. Howard has not penned a column in the local rags since July 27 and is probably enjoying a well earned break. Or perhaps attending Entrée Gold board meetings in Vancouver. Or maybe visiting Entrée’s site in Mongolia. Or possibly on a cruise courtesy of Saga. Or attending meetings for Helphire (continue yourselves. look at http://www.parliament.uk/about_commons/register_of_members__interests.cfm).

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Conservative Party, Mr. Damian Collins, has taken up the mantle and given us his thoughts on Dungeness power station, a national day of remembrance and how to save the economy. While it is reasonable to assume that the elected representative should have a regular space to inform constituents of his or her thoughts and actions, the idea of giving the space to a PPC from only one party seems distinctly unfair.

This matter is raising some eyebrows. Neil Matthews, PPC for the Lib Dems, tells me I am not the only person to notice this and that he will approach the papers about a column for himself. PPC for the Labour Party, Mr. Donald Worsley, has not answered my request for his thoughts on this issue.

A column for each candidate seems excessive (last election there were 9 PPCs, including Lord Toby Jug), but surely if the incumbent is away then it seems the column should either be windmilled between those who are vying for the seat or the space given over to local letters?

Although Mr. Collins has had a fair amount of column inches in both papers over recent weeks (more on this soon) letters and stories from almost all parties are carried regularly so there is no case for bias. The possibility of an oversight is more likely than something more cynical. Even if there were allegations of bias, so what? Restrictions on broadcasters do not seem to apply to papers, and the nationals are well known for political leanings.

"In non-broadcast media, political advertising, in both the party political sense and the wider sense, is allowed but the ads must comply with the CAP Code" (in essence no lies, etc) http://www.asa.org.uk/cap/news_events/news/2006/Its+political+but+is+it+correct.htm

It will be interesting to see if Mr. Howard returns, or if other PPCs start to contribute.

Update August 27 - the KM now have a Neil Matthews column. Perhaps this will galvanise Donald Worsley into action. The Herald still have only Damian Collins...maybe next week?