Forum Topic

Nigel Brooks · 2/6/2013 1:41:00 PM

new.EalingToday.co.uk Communtity Forum Topic posting

How bad is Sharma?

Seehttp://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=eabill001.htm400 constituents write in opposition and he doesn't even vote!He could have abstained, as did Angie Bray, but even that was beyond him.Thanks to the hopeless Lib Dems opposing boundary changes and reduding the number of MP's (like turkeys not voting for Christmas) large parts of Hanwell will continue to be 'represented' by this indivdual. At least Steve Pound had the courage of his convictions.

Nigel Brooks ● 4831d30 Comments

Re 'our own' won't make one jot of difference. xxxxxxxxxxxxx I wouldn't like to rely upon the French to defend our interests Nigel, or even America for that matter under Presidents like Obama.

Tony Price ● 4829d

"The only matter that I did not agree with him was re our nuclear deterrent which he says we should give up"The USA and France will always have them. Our having 'our own' won't make one jot of difference.

Nigel Brooks ● 4829d

Re Steve is a damn good xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I agree there, was disappointed when I fell outside his new boundaries. The only matter that I did not agree with him was re our nuclear deterrent which he says we should give up. With Iran, N Korea and others about to get them to my mind is suicide.

Tony Price ● 4829d

Thanks Phil.Steve is a damn good constituency MP and a man of principle, I have had no dealings with Angie and, living where I do, I doubt that I shall ever have dealings with 'the invisible man'.

Nigel Brooks ● 4830d

Nigel,I note that Angie Bray managed to vote on Tuesday and attend the MOPAC consultation at the Town Hall and ask a question. Pound voted and sent his researcher to the Town Hall. Sharma didn't vote and didn't get to the Town Hall either. Sharma sent his researcher Julian Bell!

Phil Taylor ● 4830d

I don't think you're likely to see any of those comparisons very soon.She seems to be busy enough. She mostly seems to toe the party line, although she did vote against the govt on one issue, which I think was related to Heathrow. She resigned from her role as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (or some similar title) afterwards, in accordance with another of the traditions that dominate political proceedings.She also now sits on the select committee for Culture, Media and Sport - the one that summoned Rupert and James Murdoch in 2011, although that little bit of drama took place before she joined the committee.Lots more info here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/angie_bray/ealing_central_and_acton#hansardAnd if you want to read what she's said in the debating chamber, you can do so here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?pid=24952&pop=1#n4As to how she's doing, I guess that would depend on your point of view.

M Duley ● 4830d

I was certainly grateful when the boundaries were redrawn a few years ago and we were no longer represented by his predecessor that's for sure.

Tony Colliver ● 4830d

It seems unlikely, I know.But on this occassion I am, perhaps charitably, taking the Ealing Today reporting at face value with respect to his explanation.

Tony Colliver ● 4830d

I had occassion to request her assistance recently and was impressed.Her letter to two police forces (Thames & South Yorkshire) got them off their respective *rses in double quick time and actually get on and *DO* something about a fraud which I was a victim of. Said police forces had both ignored my letters over months but jumped to attention upon receipt of hers.

Tony Colliver ● 4830d

"...and Angie Bray became been our MP. Don't really feel that either represent me in any way, though."How is Angie Bray doing in parliament? Wouldn't be great if we had a real bruiser to represent us in Ealing, y'know someone like Bessie Braddock, or an Anne Widdecombe, or even a Maggie Thatcher! Any chance?

Gerry Tan ● 4830d

Re 'wrong side' of the Iron Bridge xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I think that just about sums it up Nigel.!. I wish people would wake up to the fact that whereas we in our attitude of fairness, others less exposed historically to democratic ways will tend to more insular in their attitude, and behaviour. And that may well be the case in Local Politics as well as the wider field?. Worth keeping an eye on. Due now to being the minority, the dice is loaded against us. We have had so much of our " heritage " taken away, probably as much by our own PC walleys sadly, as any one else.

Tony Price ● 4830d

My flat used to be literally on the edge of Sharma's constituency (if I remember right, the opposite side of our road was not). Since the last election the boundaries changed and Angie Bray became been our MP. Don't really feel that either represent me in any way, though.

M Duley ● 4830d

"I think you will find Nigel that his territory extends well into Ealing proper"Of course you are right Tony. I am actually in Northfields Ward but in Hanwell. We have, unfortunately, had a succession of 'invisible' MP's representing this part of the constituency and a succession of lacklustre candidates parachuted in by the Conservatives.We have good ward councillors but as to MP's I guess we are on 'wrong side' of the Iron Bridge to be worth bothering about!

Nigel Brooks ● 4830d

Re an active and conscious decision xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx are you sure Tony, seems unlikely . Those words do not go with his description

Tony Price ● 4830d

Re or is he rubbish? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx have a look in the backyards of houses in Southall. That might give you an idea.

Tony Price ● 4830d

Re It is time he earned his Keep . xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx no Os, it's about time he was got rid of!. Imagine if the whole of the House were occupied by persons such as him.

Tony Price ● 4830d

Re large parts of Hanwell will continue to be 'represented' by this indivdual. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I think you will find Nigel that his territory extends well into Ealing proper, certainly parts of Northfields. I am sure friends in Mayfield Ave have him as their MP and I guarantee he does next to nothing for them and concentrates more on his own " backyard ".

Tony Price ● 4830d

Btw, how's Angie Bray doing in our Ealing constituency? Don't seem to hear much from her. What's the thing that most worries her about representing us? Is she doing a good job?

Gerry Tan ● 4830d

The tellers are there regardless of whether you vote in the aye or the no lobby or both. Angie Bray explained her action clearly and, 'archaic ritual' or not, exercised her vote. Mr.Sharma did nt have enough regard for his constituents to make this effort. the records will show that he did not vote. Perhaops he did this to appease a vocal 'no' constituency or to appease those who urged him to vote yes. In the end, he did neither.

Nigel Brooks ● 4830d

I don't know. Seems to me that voting in both lobbies is just another archaic ritual that wastes the time of people paid a lot of money to do a job. The net effect is the same, and he at least made a comment on it. To simply skip out and not say anything about it would be bad, but in not voting at all he's done little different from Bray except that he avoided pointlessly voting twice. Maybe he did something that made a difference last night instead (not that I'm holding my breath expecting to hear that's the case).The less of that, and the less wailing, whooping, booing and jeering and utterly dishonest (and usually inaccurate) repetitions of "my right honourable this/that/the other" the better in my opinion. I'd rather they shut up and did something worthwhile.

M Duley ● 4830d

Officially abstaining (achieved by voting fo and against) at least shows commitment to the system. Simply not bothering to vote is inexcuseable.

Nigel Brooks ● 4830d

He abstained.He explains that this was an active and conscious decision on his part (see the front page).A "spoilt ballet paper" is surely not necessary?

Tony Colliver ● 4830d

Does the gay community not self-identify as such?

Tony Colliver ● 4830d

"didnt side with the gays"What a horrible bigoted turn of phrase.

Nigel Brooks ● 4830d

As, from my perspective, his appearances east of the Iron Bridge are rarer than rocking horse droppings; I cannot really comments although he is 'my' MP.I based my comment on the simple fact that he didn't even bother to vote. Angie Bray has explained why she abstained, Mr.Sharma couldn't even be bothered to vote let alone accede to the 500 constituents who contacted him.

Nigel Brooks ● 4830d

Where does your certainty come from?My reading of the original article is that he would have voted for the bill given the notes about his past views and votes on similar matters were it not for the fact that he was clearly in receipt of a great deal of lobbying from certain quarters - i.e. the religions in particular.Since, amongst those constituents that expressed a preference (400 againt but only 68 who could be bothered to contact him and express a view in favour), his way out of the problem does not seem, on the face of it, to have been too bad.(I can't believe I am defending a politician - let alone the honerable member for Ealing Southal!!! :-( )

Tony Colliver ● 4830d

Dunno. How bad or good is he? Do tell us.I don't know much about Mr Sharma. Is he doing a good job for his constituents or is he rubbish? Tell us more please. Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4830d

I can guarantee with 100% certainty that Mr Sharma would have opposed the bill if he had voted, but why he didn't I dont know, maybe he thought people would get offended if he didnt side with the gays and could lose votes. It is hard pleasing everyone.

Asha Smith ● 4830d

When MR Sharma got elected to stand for his election many were confused and (including myself) disappointed.I like many others expected Counsellor Ranjit Dheer to be the obvious Candidate. There was a strong following for Mr Singh too. As it happens it was The Labour Party that made the choice and supported Sharma. Enough said with all the revelations since.I expected a lot more from Mr Sharma as an MP but he is content with asking Questions and not giving any Answers.He has been falling short of peoples expectations by a mile.It is time he earned his Keep .

Os A Whittle ● 4831d