Forum Topic

Steve Pound standing down as MP

It's just been announced that Steve Pound isn't going to contest the next election. Only met the man a couple of times but he was clearly a genuine and likeable individual who had led a proper life and therefore had a deeper understanding of his constituents' needs than most politicians. Subsequently I have only heard good things about him from people I respect and he seems to have had an appeal across the diverse communities than he represents. This is a sad day for Ealing and given the current state of the Labour party it would be a true miracle if he was replaced with someone fit to lace his boots.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2401d18 Comments

He did say though that his favourite track was Marvin Gaye's Sexual (H) Ealing.A good man and a good constituency MP is Steve and I say that as a lifelong Tory voter.

N V Brooks ● 2338d

Dissapointingly not his collected speeches nor even the pick of his humour.

Graham Weeks ● 2338d

Bizarre >>>> https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/mp-stephen-pound-is-giving-away-his-cd-collection-inside-parliament

Tony Heath ● 2338d

It has Hollywood blockbuster written all over it!

N V Brooks ● 2376d

NVB ponders>>> Now now Tony, Greenford Hall is not the greatest of all venues but destroying a community asset .....  :-)Good point. A better idea: get the list of suspects to assemble at the Wickes Hanwell site, a promised photo opportunity would entice them. We can crowdfund some capital, and get Bruce Willis to divert the asteroid to Wickes.  Job done.

Tony Heath ● 2376d

Now now Tony Greenford Hall is not the greatest of all venues but destroying a community asset .....  :-)

N V Brooks ● 2376d

Just daydreaming . . . that list of suspects . . .  I'm imagining if they were all assembled in Greenford Hall, and an asteroid of suitable size were to . . . . what a terrible tragedy it would be. Just daydreaming . . .

Tony Heath ● 2376d

Strewth, if that's the list then I can only sayDON'T GO STEVE!

N V Brooks ● 2377d

I suspect the members of Ealing North CLP will want a candidate who supports the Party's policies and the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn rather more enthusiastically than some you mention.

Peter Evans ● 2377d

God help us if Bell, Mason or Mahfouz get the nod.Bell has too much to lose if his domestic set-up comes under closer scrutiny. And his record as council leader is appalling.Mason apparently said he would rather ‘cut his eyes out with a spoon’ than stand, which might sound like a good option to those opposing the council’s current housing strategy.Mahfouz is ambitious but doesn’t come across as very bright. Plus he’s very closely linked to many of the less popular policies of the current administration.

Simon Hayes ● 2378d

The Labour List website reckons that about 15 people are rumoured to be putting themselves forward for selection as Labour Party candidate for Ealing North.- Cllr Sitarah Anjum was an Ealing North councillor 2010-2014 and again in 2018. - Rajesh Agrawal is Deputy mayor of London for business.- Cllr Julian Bell is long standing Ealing Council leader and a councillor in Ealing North.- Cllr Linda Burke was pro vice-chancellor at Greenwich University and in 2018 was elected as a councillor in Ealing North.- Cllr Theresa Byrne was a councillor in Ealing North from 2010 to 2018 and now represents a ward in Ealing Southall.- Sophie Charman-Blower is Secretary of Ealing Central and Acton CLP. - Katy Clark is a former MP and party staffer who worked on the democracy review.- Cllr Lewis Cox is co-founder of Ealing Labour for Corbyn and an Ealing North councillor since 2018.- Cllr Bassam Mahfouz was first elected as an Ealing councillor in 2005 and is now cabinet member for finance. - Cllr Peter Mason is a councillor in Ealing Southall since 2014 and now cabinet member for housing.  He is also secretary of the Jewish Labour Movement.  - Ed Mayne is a former Hounslow councillor and cabinet member. He stood against Chris Grayling in 2017.- James Murray is Deputy mayor of London for housing and former Islington Council cabinet member and was born in Ealing North.- Cllr Aysha Raza was first elected as a councillor in Ealing North in 2014. - Cllr Chris Summers is a Northolt ward councillor since 2010 and stood against Boris Johnson in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in 2015. - Cllr Adam Swersky was elected to Harrow Council in 2014, where he is cabinet member for finance.

Peter Evans ● 2378d

Correct, from an 'approved' list.Such approval coming from Unite and Momentum dominated Central Office.Even if Ealing North select a good local candidate they still have to be  'approved' and this is far from certain.

N V Brooks ● 2383d

As I understand it, any new Labour candidate for Ealing North will be selected by the members of Ealing North Labour Party.

Peter Evans ● 2383d

Ye Gods.In words of one syllableSteve Pound no more an MP at next vote.He is standing downHe is not seeking re-electionExpect a Corbyn 'yes-man' with little, if any; local connection to be parachuted in to this safe labour seat.Or, God forbid, Bell seeks the nomination (although it would mean a major pay-cut and greater scrutiny).

N V Brooks ● 2383d

I hope that just means that he intends to scale down what he does because we will miss him.

Philippa Bond ● 2383d

Sorry TA, didnt see your post, oops

Peter Yale ● 2391d

As a lifelong Tory voter, Steve Pound would have got  my vote every time had he stood in Ealing Southall.A all round 'top bloke' with a wealth of real world experience brought to his job.Strewth I can even (almost) forgive him for being a Fulham fan :-)Very, very, difficult shoes to fill and I wish him very well.

N V Brooks ● 2401d

Another job opportunity for Cllr Bell!!Seriously, we have too many politicians at all levels of government who have little or no experience of real life, having followed a political career from university days. This lack of empathy and experience results in truly terrible decision making.Ironic that the picture used to illustrate this story shows Mr Pound promoting the summer reading challenge held across the borough libraries, the very libraries our socialist council wants to shut down!!

Simon Hayes ● 2401d