Just(in) out of touch

The elephant in the room in Justin Tomlinson's online response to last night's government defeat, was no mention of the 118 Conservative MPs who voted against.

Interesting that he instead mentioned the opportunity of opposition MPs to 'wreck Brexit'.

Interesting there was no mention of his own party colleagues who seem to be doing that.

Interesting even further that he seems to be playing politics with a huge moment. Even though he's the first person to accuse opposition parties of playing politics.

Strong and stable.

Do Android MP PR Bots Dream of Electric Cars?

As predicted, the decision by BMW to produce an electric version of the mini was instantly seized upon by one Swindon politician as evidence that a 'hard Brexit' is the best option.

Interesting that Tomlinson has been silent on the BMW strike.

Interesting too that Tomlinson has also been silent on the fall in UK car sales by 13.7%, the third fall in a row.

Maybe he needs charging up.

Swindon Election - Tomlinson's Favourite Train 'The Flipping Flopsman'

For an MP of a railway town, Justin Tomlinson's attitude towards railways doesn't seem to know if it's coming or going.

Tomlinson talked in August 2014 of working hard to limit annual ticket price rises (despite it being government who control the rises), but has voted four times to not controlling public transport ticket prices.

He also appears to have remained silent on pleas from bus companies for help on the Bus Service Operators Grant.

He also sees fit to claim that Labour did not invest money in the railways. Once again, Tomlinson has not read his recent history, that it was Labour who announced the Great Western Main Line electrification, but that's not stopped him claiming the investment for himself and the Conservatives Theresa May party on every single one of his election leaflets.

Stand back from the platform edge, it's the 'Flipping Flopsman' storming through.

Swindon Election : Swindon Tories Leafleted during Suspension

Swindoncentric received reports of Tory leaflets being dropped through doors on Thursday, before general election campaigning was due to restart this morning.

Not really appropriate.

Swindon Election : Town Tories Silent on Honda Accord for Brexit

'Strong and stable' may be Theresa's mantra, but for Swindon's incumbent MPs 'silent and still' would suit on the Honda Brexit elephant in the room.

The government has promised Sunderland's Nissan something (but has not admitted it), no doubt officials from Honda UK have been keen to get similar treatment, but nothing has been revealed in public.

But never mind our MPs since June last year, who have gone into the election campaign without a word about the 3,500 workforce's future outside the EU, or those many thousands locally in the supply chain for the South Marston plant that will depend on whatever deal is eventually struck on exiting the EU.

The industrial backbone (along with at least 3,500 voters) of Swindon deserves better treatment from it's local incumbent Tory candidates.