Guido Fawked – MP Absence Hypocrisy

The perpetually thirsty Paul Staines and his rabble at the Guido Fawkes blog have suddenly become supporters of the Lib Dems, or at least one Lib Dem, this being the sound and steady Vince Cable, who has been wrongly targeted by two over-eager Labour MPs – Rachel Reeves and Chris Bryant – who have passed adverse comment on his voting record some years back.

Nah, I didn't write it, I was in the pub, shit no, office, having a beer, bollocks no, meeting. About the next piss-up. Oh sod it

Sadly for the two attacking Cable, the absence was because Vince was attending the hospital where his then wife Olympia was being treated for a terminal illness. Bryant and Ms Reeves have both stopped by the canteen for a significantly sized portion of humble pie, but mere apology is not sufficient for the Fawkes folks, so more detail has to be added to the charge sheet.

I can't be unprincipled, cos I'm on telly!

“Reeves was one of the ones quick to put the boot in when a Sun freelancer similarly accused Lucy Powell of being lazy without realising she was on maternity leave. As were Watson et al” gasp The Great Guido’s gofers in mock horror, making sure they tuck into a side order of blaming Tom Watson for something started off by the paper for which they contribute a Sunday column.

So there can be only one conclusion here: laying into MPs who are indisposed with good reason is A Very Bad Thing. Well, have I got news for Fawkes: there is one example of this practice that Staines, his tame gofer the odious flannelled fool Henry Cole, and their newly anointed teaboy Alex Wickham, have missed. So let me assist them in adding another name to their roll of shame.

Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, was recovering from open heart surgery in late 2012. This meant that his Commons attendance record suffered. But one Tory was having none of that: “Labour MP Steve McCabe who reported me to Standards Commissioner for time in jungle during half term has attendance record of just 63%!!”. Yes, it’s her again. The fragrant Nadine had struck.

McCabe tried to give her a subtle hint: “Imagine equating time off for open heart surgery with a paid for holiday on a reality TV show. Says all we need to know”. But Ms Dorries was deaf to reason: “I think with your 63% attendance record, you should be quiet. Obviously been taking a few holidays of your own!” and did not apologise – unlike Rachel Reeves and Chris Bryant.

So why isn’t the Fawkes rabble making an example out of Nadine Dorries? But then, she’s their pal, as well as being on their favoured team. So The Great Guido and his fellow steaming hypocrites said nothing, demonstrating their high principles – or distinct lack of them. It’s not been a good day for them today, having confused a Guardian journalist with a Government minister as well.

Accuracy, consistency, high principles. Or not. Another fine mess, once again.