New Liverpool MP Ian Byrne made a strong start to his parliamentary career by co-authoring a parliamentary motion to ban the S*n – hated and boycotted on Merseyside for its smears against Hillsborough victims – from the parliamentary estate that was supported by other Liverpool MPs.
Byrne – one of Labour’s most authentically working-class MPs, who also founded and helps run the excellent Fans Supporting Foodbanks – has also just announced that Everton ward in north Liverpool has asked him to stay on as a councillor for the ward until May.
Byrne says he will donate his monthly councillor’s allowance to the Vauxhall Law Centre, which provides free legal advice to families facing problems with debt, housing and benefits:
SKWAWKBOX view:
At a time when Labour needs to reconnect with its working-class heartlands and some of its senior MPs are displaying no clue where to start, it’s good to know that some parts of the party have never lost touch.
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It is a sad day for Labour when a member of the PLP doing the right and decent thing instead of using the Labour party as the platform for the gravy train is news.
Unlike so many of our backbenchers and so called “grandees” Ian clearly does not see his MP status as a stepping stone to great personal wealth and advancement.
He is not a greedy self serving individual and I doubt if he would even consider hobnobbing with the dregs of society at Rupert Murdock’s Parties – Tony Blair and Jess Phillips in particular take note.
Ian Byrne: Legend!
Long may you run…
I’ve never heard of Ian Byrne before, but he seems just like the type of person we need in the PLP. His selfless dedication to the cause of the working class shines out like a beacon.
More’s the pity that none of the leadership or deputy leadership candidates currently on offer have a fraction of his principles or commitment to the many.
Hes done more than any of rhose carrerest chancers in the leadership bid in a month that bunch as done for any of their constituents.A decent human being.How long will he survive amongst that lot..Still its good news and a relief to see that at least one person in the PLP knows what really matters….More news on the new intake would be nice.and relief from the Bear pit.!
I was rather impressed by the Politics Live (BBC2) appearance of the candidate who challenged IDS in the recent general election. The question of ‘metropolitan elite’ came up and she demolished it.