Comments on: Thetford vicar squares up to Cameron

By: Philipa

Philipa — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:57:06 +0000

@Craig Ranapia – I agree with your point and it is a good point. There is a tension.

By: Winchester Whisperer

Winchester Whisperer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:05:27 +0000

That’s a better photo than the one on Con Home where her bra strap’s showing

By: Frugal Dougal

Frugal Dougal — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:19:40 +0000

Not on message but further to your comment on vicars. In the RC Church, in the Diocese of East Anglia, there’s something of a drought as regards priests. People often point to the Diocese of Westminster which, they tell me, has more priests per head of population than anywhere in the world except Malta.

By: Matt Wardman

Matt Wardman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:30 +0000

I don’t see any contradiction between the three tests you quote from the Canon, and Liz Truss as the MP. He said:

“Theford voters need parliamentary candidates who

- live in Norfolk,
- care about Thetford
- are willing to work hard for all their constituents.

There’s nothing in the tests about being born locally, although I note that Gillian Shepherd *was* and Chris Fraser *wasn’t* though he lives locally.

I’d be pointing out that the Canon’s examples undermine his own criteria !

The EDP don’t carry letters on their public website (which is AWOL at the moment anyway), so I can’t check the whole thing.

Rgds

By: Craig Ranapia

Craig Ranapia — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:45:01 +0000

Philipa@6:

But Canon Baker’s authority, it seems to me, rests entirely on his job — and it seems fair to me that when clerics want to insert themselves in matters secular, it is entirely fair to ask whether they hold themselves to the same standard of conduct. After all, Jesus had nothing complimentary to say about hypocrites who talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.

By: Andrew Allison

Andrew Allison — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:20:17 +0000

It’s great if you can get a local person to represent their home turf. This is not always possible, not should it be a core criterion. An MP – just like a member of the clergy – is doing a job of work and you want the best person to do that job.

Canon Baker should realise this and not throw bricks when he lives in a glass house himself.

By: Philipa

Philipa — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:06:33 +0000

I’m not disregarding rules when it suits me, I’m objecting to the rules and have done for a while, irrespective of Liz Truss and Canon whatsisname. I simply agree with the canon on this issue. Ellee, the canon doesn’t work with his flock in the same way an MP does as I previously explained. He just doesn’t. It’s a different job and I don’t see why that different job precludes him from expressing his opinion. As long as he doesn’t express that opinion in the pulpit that’s fine by me – he’s just a bloke and a voter. Your argument against him seems to rest on his job which is a deflection, a straw man or definist fallacy; just because both are in public service does not mean they do the same job or that the same criteria should apply to their selection for that job.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:21:43 +0000

Craig, welcome to my site. I don’t think most people held the same concerns about this issue as the media did. And yes, most people have a selective memory and disregard of rules when it suits them, though you expressed this more eloquently than me.

By: Craig Ranapia

Craig Ranapia — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:27:20 +0000

First, hello — Ian Dale sent me, and I’ll be putting this blog on my already morbidly obese daily reading list.

As for Canon Baker, he’s perfectly entitled to express his political views to anyone who cares to listen, but he shouldn’t cry foul when held to the same standards. You are well in order asking the question you did and I’d go further; does he submit to ecclesiastical and doctrinal authority or would that constitute Cameron-style “arrogant interference in local affairs”? Whether it is the CoE or the Conservative Party, I’d respectfully suggest that the true corruption is when folks decide they can just wipe their backsides on rules they find inconvenient.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:08:57 +0000

Now that Liz has finally secured the backing of her Association, surely it is time to draw a line under this business.

I had a call from Radio5 Live this evening asking if I would take part in their late night show with Richard Bacon http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007lb08 on whether MPs who have had affairs should be elected.

“Is that the only question?” I asked.

“Well yes, that’s the gist of it,” the researcher replied.

I told her: “My view is that this has caused immense pain to Liz and surely it is a matter for her and her husband and if they can draw a line under it and move on, and the local people of Swaffham who were quoted in today’s paper can as well, then what is the problem?

“I am also sorry for the people of Swaffham who have not been portrayed in a very flattering light. I have lived and worked in Norfolk and know what a wonderful place it is. Some of my happiest days were spent there.”

The researcher told me she would let me know later if they wanted to include me on their show. I doubt my views were controversial enough.

Liz looked so happy and relieved on TV tonight when the result was announced, with 90% support of the meeting, according to one local member. I expect she will sleep well tonight, the first time for many weeks.