April 29, 2008
Kate Hoey is a Labour MP, she is standing for Labour at the next election, she supports the Labour government, she will continue campaigning for Labour - just in case you wondered
The Kate Hoey rebuttal has just come out.
Boris Johnson’s campaign had claimed this morning that Hoey (Labour MP for Vauxhall) would be the first member of his new administration if he becomes mayor at the end of this week.
Within minutes rumours started circulating that the whips were about to move in on the sometimes obstreperous MP. And yes there was a meeting with Geoff Hoon, chief whip, later this morning.
Hoey (pictured left) has just issued her reply:
Yes she would advise Boris on sport on a “non-partisan basis”…in a non-executive role.
But
“The key part of the Boris Johnson statement – ie that I will be the first member of his administration – is wrong. I have simply agreed to act in a similar position, for example to Conservative MPs John Bercow and Patrick Mercer – in that I have said that I will advise on a non-partisan basis in respect of my lifetime commitment to bringing sport to the people of London.
This is not an endorsement of Boris Johnson for Mayor. I will be voting for my party and Labour candidates on Thursday.
I am a Labour MP and I am standing for Labour at the next election.. I support the Labour Government. I have and shall continue actively to campaign for Labour in these elections, not least for Val Shawcross, my local GLA member. “
