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Lib Dem tells republican constituent to ‘get a life’
MP Bob Russell assumes letter writer who queried expense of royal wedding was ‘a socialist’
Despite concerns that the issue of tuition fees might tear apart the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition government, the alliance seems stronger than ever this morning after the Lib Dem MP for Colchester, Bob Russell, told a republican, 'socialist' constituent to "get a life and stop whingeing" about next April's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The hapless constituent wrote to Russell, perhaps not realising he is a patron of the Constitutional Monarchy association, to question the expense of next April's Bank Holiday, which has been called to mark the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Writing on House of Commons notepaper, Russell responded: "Haven't you got something better to do in your sad life? Bit of a spoilsport, aren't you? What a miserable person you must be!
"I would argue that the spirits of the nation - other than, obviously, people like you - will be lifted by the event, if not as Royalists then by having an extra Public Holiday. Of course, you could always forgo the day off and offer to some voluntary work. You will not be forced to participate in the celebrations."
Russell signed off: "I suggest you get a life and stop whinging!"
The MP later admitted to the Daily Mail that he gave his constituent "both barrels" because he assumed "this clown came from the republican, socialist wing of the Labour Party".
Even though Russell rebelled last week against the coalition and voted against raising the cap on tuition fees, he won praise for his no-nonsense stance from former Conservative MP Jacques Arnold, who said:
"Bob is absolutely right. The cost of the wedding is being borne by the families and [referring to the cost of security] to fail to keep the Queen's peace would not be on." ·
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Are we now, under the Grand Coalition Farrago, reaching a stage where, as in the United States, to be labelled a 'socialist' is to be excluded from the political process? As part of their constitutional gerrymandering, are the Liberal Democrats now preparing to introduce a House Committee on Unenglish Activities? Bob Russell should watch out. In the USA, first they went for the socialists. Then they went for the liberals. As, since the War of Goldsmith's Ear, a LibDem voter but also a lifelong 'republican', I can assure Mr Russell that I won't be standing up for him when the Thought Police knock on his door.
Bob Russell is a great MP. Works hard and represents his constituents well. I imagine blowing off a little steam now and again isn't the worst crime in the world!