‘A***H**E’ - Greg Mulholland MP

I wrote to the ‘Honourable’ Member for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland MP about some comments in had made in Parliament. Two weeks on, I am still waiting for a reply.

As evidence showed recently, complaints about MP’s, their work, attitudes and the contempt with which they often treat their constituents have increased significantly. Whilst Mr Mulholland is not my local MP, I contacted him and feel my troubles warrant a reply no matter how busy he is, not least because of the seriousness of my complaint.

Mr Mulholland, a 36 year old with no reference (on his website) to his career before entering Parliament in 2005, refereed to a Minister in the Chamber as an ‘arsehole’ for not giving way in a debate recently.
Now, I was not present at the debate and did not hear the full transcript of what took place. What I did read about incensed me, not least because he refused to take the comment back or accept that it was unbecoming of a Parliamentarian to use such language.

Coming at the end of the week when the Derek Conway saga exposed our MP’s to serious failings about their attitude, conduct, propriety and behaviour, Mr Mulholland could ill afford such comments which further demonstrated the lack of respect many show Parliament today.

Slowly, they are watering down the traditions, customs, standards of behaviour and attitude that was once a prerequisite for anyone seeking office. Being able to speak, properly and appropriately with full consideration of where it was and for whose consumption it was, should be at the forefront of all public figures. Sadly, and increasingly, people are treating the Palace like they do everything else, with contempt and little appreciation.

When people have to resort to such language to make themselves heard, it exposes the nature of some of those we have in Parliament today. Come on Mr Mulholland, admit you were wrong and show some humility.