The Voice

Tory councillor suspended over “foreign names” slur

By | Fri 20th November 2009 - 9:01 pm

Orpington Conservative Councillor Peter Hobbins has been suspended resigned from the party after criticising candidates with foreign names – and Central Office for picking them.

As News Shopper reports, Councillor Hobbins wrote:

“Not one of them has a ‘normal’ English name.

“They want to be the PPCs for Orpington and asked me for my personal advice on how they would be the best candidates for the Orpington Constituency. My view? For hells sake.

“Why are the Candidates Department so keen on these foreign names?!!!!

“The candidates department are simply rushing these names through.

“They have absolutely no idea about how Associations are organised and have ZERO experience of political campaigning.

“Their emails are PATHETIC.”

“Maybe I should change my name to something foreign – how does Petrado Indiano Hobbinso sound to you?!”

Two emails were apparently sent in the early hours of Thursday morning, highlighting the dangers of emailing when you’re tired and, possibly, emotional.

Orpington Conservatives select their parliamentary candidate on 11th December.

UPDATE 8.25am, 21st Nov: A double shock.  ConservativeHome reports that Cllr Hobbins has now resigned from the Conservative party, and  new reporter Newshound is already in the doghouse after an incident with Pink Dog we don’t intend to detail on a family website.  Newshound will return shortly, behaviour permitting.

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5 Comments

  • Herbert Brown 20th Nov '09 - 9:54pm

    If only I hadn’t heard similar comments while stuffing target letters … !

  • Martin Land 21st Nov '09 - 1:41am

    I just remind people that to my Celtic ancestors, Smith was a very strange foreign sounding name…

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