Kent News - Central Office suspend Tory councillor for racism

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Central Office suspend Tory councillor for racism

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Peter Hobbins on Facebook

A former Tory parliamentary candidate has been suspended by his party and branded a racist after allegedly claiming people wanting to be MPs for his party do not have “normal” English names.

Peter Hobbins is accused of sending several emails in the early hours of Thursday morning to a number of fellow Bromley councillors and Orpington’s Conservative Association chairman attacking the list of prospective parliamentary candidates for the safe Tory seat.

Orpington is seeking a new Conservative candidate for the next general election after John Horam had announced he will stand down. The list is approved by Conservative Central Office.

Cllr Hobbins’ is understood to have sent an email to Orpington Conservative Association chairman John Esler which read: “I have been contacted by a Mr Dilon Gumraj and a Zerha Zaidi and others who are all on the approved Conservative Parliamentary Candidates list.

“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 Hell’s 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.”

It went on to say: “Maybe I should change my name to something foreign - how does Petrado Indiano Hobbinso sound to you?!”

A second email, allegedly from the councillor, to John Esler criticised the prospective candidates for asking him questions about how to plan a speech, tips on canvassing and what to do if they can’t answer a question.

It added that prospective candidates have asked Cllr Hobbins where Orpington is and how to get there.

The email says the questions are “ridiculous” before stating: “I really do not want to read another cv about Africa!”

Conservative sources say the emails have left Cllr Hobbins in an almost untenable position as leader David Cameron seeks to modernise the party.

His future outlook appears bleak – but a decision will be reached as to what action is to be taken by a meeting scheduled for the next few days.

Cllr Hobbins is ward councillor for Orpington and failed to win the Rhondda constituency seat in Wales during the 2001 general election.

He was unavailable for comment as Kent on Sunday went to press.

Mr Esler said: “Cllr Hobbins shouldn’t have sent these emails. They were entirely inappropriate.

“I didn’t actually read all of it as I decided it was not worth the effort.

“But I can say he definitely shouldn’t have sent them.”

This year the current MP for Orpington John Horam had announced he would not be standing at the next election, prompting the local association to look for a successor.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Councillor Hobbins has been immediately suspended from the Conservative Party and from the Conservative Group on Bromley council and he will play no part in the selection of the parliamentary candidate.

"There is no room for racism in the Conservative Party.”

POSTED: 20/11/2009 17:00:00

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Comments:

Added: Sunday 22/11/2009 07:54:46 UK

Free speech really is dead and buried in this country when a Tory can't comment on the fact that Conservatives are parachuting all and sundry into parliamentary constituencies ready for the next election.
What happened to the time when potential Tory MP's had established roots in the community? Selection of candidates has turned into a giant game of chess!

michael, Margate, Kent

Added: Saturday 21/11/2009 23:22:09 UK

I read this story when we got the Kent on Sunday in at work! I laughed at the headline! Then read the story! I probably sound like some sort of BNP follower when I say this but, suspended?!?! The guy should be given a higher position in Government! Seriously, the reason why this country is in the sh*t state it is in is because our Government are too weak and scared of offending people!! Racist?? I think all MPs should have more human opinions!! And speak their minds!!

Simon Beer, Dover, Kent

Added: Friday 20/11/2009 20:17:48 UK

Hey, you could give me a credit for publicising the email. He has now quit the Tories, but I am sure nothing would have happened if I hadn't made it public
http://duncanborrowman.blogspot.com/search/label/Peter%20Hobbins

Duncan Borrowman, Bexley, Kent