Independent MP Rob Roberts has declared other Welsh politicians are “second rate” and the Senedd has “failed in every conceivable way to deliver for the Welsh people“. Posting on Facebook yesterday, Roberts slammed Welsh opposition groups for doing “absolutely nothing” to stop Labour. The same Rob Roberts who was previously suspended from the Commons for sexual misconduct…
“It’s completely correct that Labour have presided over a systematic destruction of the health board in north Wales.
But it’s also correct that the opposition groups in the Senedd have done absolutely nothing about it. The whole place is full of second-rate politicians doing a second-rate job, sitting for two days a week and stealing a living from the public purse.A fair chunk of them are elected having never actually won a vote, and they want to increase the gravy train even more. The whole institution is an absolute joke and the worst thing that’s ever happened to Wales, established on a 50.3% “yes” vote from a 50.2% turnout.
So because 25% of Wales (thanks Gwynedd) wanted this absolute shambles of a project 25 years ago, we’re stuck with it. Not good enough. Failed in every conceivable way to deliver for the Welsh people. It makes me so angry.”
The Delyn Tory association, formally of disgraced MP Rob Roberts, has been placed into special measures after going into significant debt. At last year’s AGM the problem with the North West East Association’s finances was flagged, however there was no subsequent indication that the party’s officers were urgently tackling the matter. Guido has a feeling the Tories might be on course to lose Delyn to Labour…
The problems with the local association were taken to the national Conservative Party Board, who met a fortnight ago to save the branch. As part of the emergency medicine, the board has sacked all the officers of the Delyn Conservative Association, as well as placed the Delyn Conservative Association into ‘Supported Association’ status.
An email sent to local members makes a point of clarifying none of this was orchestrated by CCHQ, which does not have the power to remove association officers, nor put local branches into special measures. Having a suspended MP for so many years probably doesn’t help with donations or membership retention…
Guido speculated out loud this morning whether the Tory MP arrested for rape would be able to vote in the leadership election – given he hasn’t had the whip withdrawn, just told to stay away from the estate. Proxy votes are available…
Guido’s now had it confirmed by the whips’ office that he will be able to vote, and only members without the whip will be precluded from participation. In other words, just Rob Roberts and David Warburton.
It wasn’t long ago that Theresa May was stupid enough to give Charlie Elphicke the whip back so he could support her in the 2018 leadership election. The whips’ office has assured Guido that Roberts and Warburton will not be handed the same luxury this time around…
While it may not be great, he’s a better singer than he is an MP…
Rob Roberts – who sexually harassed a male and female staff member, was suspended from the house for six weeks and lost the party whip – was dealt a final blow in September when his Conservative membership was suspended for 12 weeks. Guido’s double checked with the party and, for some inexplicable reason, his suspension is still set to end on Monday. They were keen to emphasise he will remain whipless…
As a party member, the disgraced MP will have access to both local and national social events with other members, and would be able to attend future Tory conferences. CCHQ has already been heavily criticised for not taking complaints against members seriously. His readmission to the party will only add salt to the wound…
One angry former staffer tells Guido:
“It’s very concerning that even after a Parliamentary suspension an individual who causes so much concern amongst young Tories and fellow MPs alike is allowed back into the party giving him access to a wide range of people”.
Will Rob be stupid enough to try braving the Tory social scene from next week?
MPs will finally get the opportunity today to close the Rob Roberts recall loophole that saw the Delyn MP escape justice prior to the Summer recess. Co-conspirators will remember that had Roberts been suspended for the length of time he was by the Standards Committee, he would have been subject to a ballot of constituents who could have kicked him out. An oversight in the newer Independent Expert Panel (IEP) procedure – ironically the mechanism for dealing with the most serious behavioural complaints – meant that MPs sanctioned to suspension by the panel were not able to face recall. The government’s new rules will change this.
The government’s amendment to the IEP standing orders, however, will not be retrospective, meaning unless Roberts were to be subject to a second suspension arising from a new and separate behavioural complaint, he won’t be eligible for recall. Labour has put down an amendment seeking to make the change retrospective and ensare Roberts. Guido thinks a retrospective law ex post facto is a bad law. Labour tried this same amendment back in July, however as it was a motion not a debate the amendment resulted in the government’s proposals being canned, having to bring them back a second time. By close of play today, this absurd procedural anomaly will be done and dusted…
