Whilst only serious conspiracy theorists would allege something sinister about the building housing Hazel Blears' campaign offices mysteriously collapsing a day or so ago, The Guardian helpfully putting another spanner in the works of her deputy leader campaign, is something else.
You might have heard that Ms Blears had accepted recently a £10,000 campaign donation from a company specialising in employment law and related services, namely Peninsula Business Services Ltd. This company “helps companies fight employment tribunal claims” splutters The Guardian with barely concealed rage. This donation has infuriated Labour MPs, we are told. Kevan Jones, Labour MP for Durham North is reported as saying,
“It is absolutely disgraceful that Hazel Blears has taken money from a firm that boasts it can cut compensation claims from workers. She should give the money back and not use it as part of her campaign”
and for good measure Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, took the view that,
“It is up to trade unionists voting in the election to make their own judgment on Hazel Blears' lack of judgment.”
Just for the record, let us remind ourselves that neither Kevan Jones nor Tom Watson can be considered supporters of Hazel Blears, so their righteous indignation is a little hollow. It is also right to point out that Peninsula Business Services Ltd is not the heinous monster that its detractors make out. One would assume that believing in fair play and justice, Labour supporters would see it as only reasonable that when faced with a claimant employee backed by a Trade Union with all its resources and ready access to legal advice, the employer should also be similarly represented. It is a matter of equality of arms.
Ms Blears’ own riposte to the criticism says all that need to be said,
“Peninsula is a reputable company, providing advice on health & safety and good employment systems to small organisations, helping them stay on the right side of the law. They are a Salford-based firm, employing over 400 people in Salford, and 700 in total. Their donation to the Hazel Blears for Deputy campaign has been declared to the Electoral Commission in an open and transparent way, alongside other donations, including £12,000 from the shopworkers' union Usdaw.”
So why all the stirring, who is behind it and why?
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