Laura being interviewed outside the Brighton Centre during the 2009 party conference
I got home from work today, fired up the PC, and the first thing that caught my eye on Twitter was news that Crawley’s MP, Laura Moffat, is standing down. I have very mixed views about this.On the one hand I will be sad to see her go. She has been a fixture on the local political scene ever since I moved out this way. Since her predecessor was very much the invisible man in Crawley she is really the only MP I have known here. On the other hand I am glad for her to be getting a well-deserved break after those years of hard work.
After the nerve-wracking count and multiple recounts in 2005 Laura did seem to be determined to make it her last election, so I am not totally surprised. No doubt there will be plenty of rejoicing amongst people who have not seen just how much she does: she has really set an example to all constituency MPs over the last thirteen years.
As a colleague, friend and neighbour I have seen first-hand how much time and effort she puts into the job. Not only does she hold regular surgeries and attend just about every local event going, but she combines this local activity with one of the best attendance records in parliament and still fits in local party meetings and leading campaign events from the front.
Whoever steps into Laura’s boots will have a tough job because she has now set the benchmark that Crawley’s population will expect them to meet.
If more MPs would show the same attention to their constituents and constituency party instead of concentrating on their property portfolios, extra jobs, and personal career arcs the country would be a much better place – but I’m sure that will not stop the gloating from political pygmies who would not manage thirteen weeks of Laura’s schedule, let alone thirteen years.
Well, I’m sure that there will be gloating.
My only question is over the timing. With weeks to go before the election, the choosing of a replacement is going to be very tight.
Sadly, we will only realise what an excellent MP Laura Moffatt has been for Crawley, when she’s gone.
Henry Smith as our MP doesn’t bear thinking about – very much a lightweight amongst heavyweights; and a puppet amongst master-puppeteers.
Who will replace her at such short notice – the present Labour Leader Brenda Smith ?
Then it would be Smith vs. Smith !
Laura was a big help to me and my partner at a difficult time. So I wish her well. When you read the evil and yes they are nasty comments on the Maidenbower Site you would hope that our ‘enry would step in and be a gentleman and rectify the antilocution. Of course he wont because he still a member of “the nasty party”
Looking in my crystal b####x, I think it will be Crawley Labour’s current Leader, Cllr Brenda Smith – same ‘mould’ and has considerable local support.
My only criticism of Moffatt’s decision is the TIMING…but I sense this was a relatively unplanned – even impulsive decision – on her part….she has written NOTHING on her official website – which is unusual, but could explain a lot:
http://www.lauramoffatt.co.uk/news
Can’t help feeling something was said (or done) when ‘Millipeed’ (Foreign Sectetary) came to town very recently….who knows ?!
Changed my mind as to Laura Moffatt’s replacement – after reading the excellent coverage by Crawley Observer.
Not Brenda Smith
My money is now on Chris Oxlade
You are so fickle!