MP in caravan tax contradiction

7:10am Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Letters

LIKE me, I’m sure that readers will be astounded to learn that after our MP Mark Garnier used these pages recently to raise his profound concern about the Government’s ‘caravan tax’, he went on, later that same evening, to vote in favour of the VAT hike in Parliament!

In his View from Westminster column, he said that raising VAT on static caravans “could have a detrimental effect on our local tourist economy” as “increasing the cost of caravans can only decrease the demand for them”.

However, this opposition to the caravan tax voiced so strongly in The Shuttle was not reflected in his contribution to the parliamentary debate. When he was able to speak, he appeared to support the Government’s plans, saying the “VAT changes are broadly sensible reforms”.

I’m sure we’re all left wondering why he says one thing in the local paper, but another to parliament. How can our MP face two ways on one issue in the matter of a few hours?

Mark Garnier could have sent a clear message to the Government on behalf of his constituents, the struggling caravan industry and the area he represents.

TOM KING Cutty Sark Drive Stourport

Comments(15)

Gobby Robby says...
9:10am Wed 25 Apr 12

It beggars belief. Basically Garnier was teling a massive lie, and an absolutely brazen one as well. Talk about treating your constituents like dirt. He has to resign.

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Tom_K says...
12:45pm Wed 25 Apr 12

In the time since I wrote this, its worth noting that Mark has changed his position on the Caravan Tax AGAIN! Despite, voting for it last week, his website now says "will be presenting a strong argument against the imposition of VAT on static caravans" in an article entitiled 'Mark takes action over 'caravan tax'. He omits the fact the action he is taking is to vote for it in Parliament.

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Rob Ireland says...
12:52pm Wed 25 Apr 12

Our MP is a Tory first and representing the interests of his constituency falls some way behind. Loyalty to the leadership of his party (and his personal ambition) will always outweigh what is important for Wyre Forest.

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kidderlord says...
4:38pm Wed 25 Apr 12

Trouble is garnier thinks people dont take much notice of what actually happens in parliament, but luckily enough savvy people in Wyre Forest can see him in action and report on his treachory. well there's an election next week- send the Tories a strong message and vote Labour, because remember a vote for OBROSKI and DYKE is a vote for the Torags.

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Jon D says...
5:44pm Wed 25 Apr 12

Outrageous! They say don't start lying as one leads to another and the next thing you're in trouble. Looks like that's what's happening here. Unless he's just really confused. I think if your MP goes mad while in office you can get rid of him.

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neilhar says...
8:55pm Wed 25 Apr 12

I think it only requires a petition of 80,000 forestonians to have his recall proceeding commence. Do that many even know who he is though?

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Mary79 says...
9:25pm Wed 25 Apr 12

I did not think there was a recall law for MPs yet?

The one I read about said a 10% petition which means with a register in Wyre Forest of 78,000 voters it's only 7,800 signatures needed if the law goes through? But I think the law will be just for serious things like criminal convictions not for an MP being useless?

So we are stuck with him. For now.

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kidderlord says...
7:12am Thu 26 Apr 12

Perhaps if a strong anti vote is made next thursday of the torags the local party maybe they will reconsider Graingers position- ooops sorry garnier- never remember his name cause u never see him - trouble is with marcus hart waiting to step in his shoes perhaps the grass may not be greener- VOTE LABOUR after all they were only ousted because of the hospital, and sorry but its time to move on - spite over the hospital and labours role is killing Wyre Forest as it is giving the Torags a free ride.

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FlipC - The Mad Ranter says...
9:08am Thu 26 Apr 12

The recall law (still in draft) is neutered; it can't be initiated by the electorate. A recall petition may be called for if an MP is convicted of a crime and sentenced to 12 months or over; or if the House of Commons thinks the MP should be removed.

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Red Flag Dan says...
10:01am Thu 26 Apr 12

Under section 141 of the 1983 Mental Health Act, an an MP can be removed from their seat if they are detained under the powers of the Act for six months or more.

Given the seemingly erratic nature of Mr Garnier's positions on the caravan tax, this piece of legislation could be more effective than any recall law.

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HowardM says...
12:20pm Thu 26 Apr 12

I think it is a little unfair to blame Mark for doing what he is told by his party whips - he is no different to countless other gutless MP's of all parties over the years who say one thing to their constituents then go through the lobby like rounded up sheep when the vote is taken. Its called looking after number 1 in case a government post crops up and, as usual, requires putting party before people! Mark has shown himself to be particularly adept at following those two major requirements of being a perfect Tory clone (sorry I meant MP). However there are MP's who rebel when representing their voters - Dennis Skinner and Tony Benn spring to mind - but there are others from all parties over the years. The lesson to be learned is that we in Wyre Forest must be sure to elect an MP next time who is prepared to work for this community and doesnt want to play the game of a career politician with a future on the front benches.

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jflawson says...
1:29pm Thu 26 Apr 12

Understanding that he should follow the party whip.All he had to do was to say in the interest of my constituents i would like to abstain but that would probably affect his future career in the party i think as soon as a nice safe closer to London seat becomes available Mark will move there because he certainly needs a better P.R situation in Kidderminster.That i believe would have been a better response and the area would have thought more of him.I am amazed at the ammuinition he is giving his opponents especially the close to the local elections.

jim lawson

ICHC Candidate for Rock & District

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Gobby Robby says...
5:52pm Thu 26 Apr 12

What galls about Mark is that he promised to be a constituency minded MP as the question was prominent due to him facing a popular constitency orientated Dr Taylor. If he'd said he was going to be lobby fodder then fair enough. Basically he lied again, i'm surprised his nose hasn't taken off. As regards being detained under the Mental Health Act I think there's ample evidence of Mark's deteriorating mental state not just over his confusion over the Caravan Tax but his suggestion that we should be like the United Arab Emirates dictatorship, his continued belief in the imaginery Big Society and his willfully dillusionary persistance in deregulatory behaviour. If he's not mad he's clearly bad, & most people would prefer to be labelled the former so i'm giving Mark the benefit of the doubt here. For his own sake the men in white coats should be tipped off.

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Mary79 says...
12:11am Fri 27 Apr 12

Mark Garnier is not mad he just doesn't give a sh*t about anything but the greasy pole.

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neilhar says...
7:58pm Fri 27 Apr 12

Ditto Campion and Hart

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