Monday 23 November 2009

Jordan hits back at Lib Dem 'lies'

Colchester’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Jordan Newell, has responded to comments from Liberal Democrat Councillor, Martin Goss, after assertions that he was a “non-local candidate” with "little life experience".

Commenting on Cllr Goss’s letter, Jordan said:

“What a short memory Cllr Goss has - only last week he introduced himself to me as my local councillor. I am sure he recalls introducing himself to me as my local councillor outside Colchester North Station.”

Jordan has also countered suggestions that, at 26, he is too young to be a candidate. 

"This is a very worrying insight into Liberal Democrat thinking. I wonder what his view is of opinions expressed by our troops fighting in Afghanistan, many of who are younger than me. I am sure that their life experiences are already beyond anything both he or I will ever know", Jordan said.

Likewise, Councillor Goss obviously believes that newly qualified teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers and fire fighters should be ignored until they are of an age when the Liberal Democrats believe they are worth listening to.

"I believe my CV stands up to scrutiny. Working with grass roots organisations, both national and locally, in the charity and voluntary sector combined with the fact that I spent over five years working in Westminster as aide to two Labour MPs. A reasonable amount of experience for a 26 year old", he added.

In his blog last week, Jordan referred to the “great debate” over local candidates. His comments came after the Conservative selection uproar in South West Norfolk and Central Suffolk.

“Being a truly local candidate is something both Bob Russell and I have in common. When I left home, I chose Colchester and I chose it long before Colchester Labour Party chose me as their parliamentary candidate”, Jordan added.