‘Buff’ Hoon. On the make - and on the take?

“The former cabinet minister who launched a botched coup against Gordon Brown is to face a showdown vote with local activists who want him axed.”

"Labour members in Geoff Hoon's Ashfield constituency are to decide next month whether to ask party HQ to reconsider his position as a general election candidate.

Some were furious when the ex-defence secretary joined forces with Patricia Hewitt to call for a no-confidence vote in the PM. The attempted putsch fizzled out when it failed to attract support.

Hoon has represented the seat since 1992 and enjoys a majority of more than 10,000.”  The Guardian 26/01/2010

‘Buff’ represents one of the poorest constituencies in the country. It is astonishing that it has taken an inept coup to rouse local activists.

According to the Daily Telegraph’s online site detailing MP’s expenses, Buff Hoon, “established a property empire worth £1.7 million after claiming taxpayer-funded expenses for at least two properties. He also did not pay capital gains tax on the sale of his London home in 2006. Claimed the costs of accountancy advice using expenses intended to fund their parliamentary and constituency offices. Bought expensive gadgets, including digital cameras and camcorders.”

Why are only ‘some’ of the activists ‘furious’? Why wasn’t there mass revulsion at his wheeling and dealing? Why has it taken a typically inept piece of politicking by one of New Labours most repulsive members to rouse the faithful?

How many other supine local committees (of all parties) are sitting there, with their fingers crossed, hoping all this will blow over and that voters will forget what their MP’s have been up to?

Do they really think that we are that stupid?