John Mann was at it again recently.

He requested a private meeting with Bassetlaw District Council to discuss ongoing issues between the residents of Misson and local employer Tunnel Tech.  Once the meeting had been set up, he then proceeded to write to everyone in Misson inviting them to the ‘public’ meeting. When the council got wind of it, they cancelled the meeting, rightly saying that any public meeting should have all interested parties represented and would be happy to organise this at a future date. Mr Mann was informed in advance by telephone and email that the meeting was off.  The Parish Council Chairman was also informed.

But at the time of the cancelled meeting, John Mann rolled up to the Town Hall with his rent-a-mob and a photographer and tried to gain entry.

WHAT KIND OF BEHAVIOUR IS THIS FOR A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT?

What purpose did coming to a cancelled meeting serve, other than John Mann’s unending quest for publicity?

We have seen this all too often. There is no rational engagement with other parties, no persuasive dialogue to make his argument. He rounds up a baying mob and buses them to whichever meeting he thinks will get him media exposure.

He is in demand as a Labour Rent-a-Gob; his trademark is shouted rhetoric, which, when challenged, is repeated at higher volume ad nauseam. The Beeb love him, but not for the reasons he might think. They are always looking out for politicians to make pratts of themselves.

Little wonder that fellow Members regard him with a mixture of amusement and contempt.

He’s a sorry excuse for an MP

Rent-A-Quote specialist John Mann was at it again on the Beeb last night, endorsing the Kelly Committee’s recommendations on MP’s expenses “lock, stock and barrel”.  One of the many recommendations is that MP’s will no longer be able to employ family members on the Government payroll. Hmm. The cycnical amongst you might suggest that Mr Mann’s ‘I’m-squeaky-clean-on-expenses’ stance is nothing more than a bit of skin saving and that he is quite prepared to sacrifice his wife’s job on the altar of self-preservation. There was no suggestion by him that one of his employees, Joanna White, is doing a good job and should not be a casualty of the expenses conflict. That’s right, Joanna White is Mrs Joanna Mann. If he is really serious about his stance, he will fire her now, today, and set an example. Let’s see if he will put his wife’s money where his mouth is.

Whatever else Mr Mann is, he is not daft. He is well aware that the previously safe Labour seat in Bassetlaw is now anything but safe and he stands to lose in May 2010 (or maybe sooner if Pa Broon continues on his hapless course – would you like a biscuit, Pa, to give you energy for the u-turns?)

He loses no opportunity to jump on whatever bandwagon he thinks will ingratiate him with the voters.