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I was amused recently by a GMB press release that criticised all Tory candidates in the region, claiming we were all 'tory toffs'.  According to GMB general secretary, Paul Kenny, I "don't operate in the real world" beacuse I'm from a "well heeled" background.

Picture (below) of Paul Kenny.  Not a Happy Chappy.

Let's put aside for the moment the question of whether it was a good use of Union funds to do (bad) research into the backgounds of Tory candidates and then spend time and energy to harp on about the (erroneous) findings when you would have thought they might be better off spending their time and money trying to save jobs in a recession...

As readers of this site know, I am proud of the fact that I am from a humble, working class background, went to the local comprehensive school and much to Mr Kenny's annoyance my Mum worked on the tills at Asda, and my Dad worked in the local factory for more than 40 years and was a long time union rep for guess which Union:  the GMB. 

It is a shame that Mr Kenny is upset by the fact that children of members of his very own union are parliamenary candidates.  I am not sure what I have done to offend Mr Kenny so - other than work hard at school, respect my parents, do well in exams, be the first person in my family ever to go on to University and then have a sucessful business career.

Those of us in the Tory party who believe in supporting and encouraging hard work and who believe in aspiration and a socially mobile Britain would NEVER DREAM of criticising people who have done well from modest backgrounds.

I am proud of my roots, proud of my academic achievement, immensely proud of my parents and am happy to say that over the years I have contributed to saving and creating hundreds of jobs through the work that I do advising businesses.

What precisely is Mr Kenny trying to get at.  Is he saying that I should give up my job and do something else he finds less objectionable?  Is he saying that because I have worked hard and am well educated that I should be disqualified from becoming an MP?  Is he saying that working class people who have done well in life and been socially mobile have somehow sold out and would make bad MPs?  Or is he just trying to play old Labour class war tactics because he knows his buddies are on their way out and he can't think of anything else to throw at us?  This speaks volumes about the Labour party and Unions' real commitment to social mobility. Tories believe in equality through advancing opportunity, Labour believe in equality by holding everyone back. They'd rather play snakes than ladders. The reality is that it clearly is not the fact that I'm a candidate that offends Mr Kenny, but that I am a Tory candidate. 

Not one to shy away from a good discussion, I called the GMB.  I was only able to get through to a press officer but asked him to ask Mr Kenny to call me back and let me know why it is he is so offended by sons and daughters of his own union members becoming parliamantary candidates.   I look forward to posting his response!

For the record, Mr Kenny, like millions of other working class people across the country, my Dad was a Labour supporter throughout his life.  He now feels utterly betrayed by the party he was once proud of and says he will never vote Labour again.  This is a message that is repeated on doorsteps across the nation.  No wonder Mr Kenny and his friends have to resort to such cheap jibes!

Picture, above, of Nigel Huddleston with his apparently 'well-heeled' family at Christmas - left to right: sister-in-law, Louise (cares for people with eating disorders); Dad, Alan (retired factory worker and former GMB member);  Sister, Linda (council worker); kids and wife, Melissa (stay at home Mum); Mum, Pauline (former ASDA worker); Brother-in-law, Richard (works at Unipart), Brother, Steven (electrician) and self.

Link to story in local press here.