Local MP Chris Philp is organising a rave this week for his mate, Old Etonian millionaire Zac Goldsmith.
Zac Goldsmith: Coming to Croydon this Thursday. But where?
But not as busy as he has been in campaigning for himself and his chums in the Conservative Party.
Backbencher Philp ensured he fulfilled his role as lobby fodder last week, voting with a party whip organised by Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell to take £30 a week in benefits off disabled people. Goldsmith helped to vote through the measure, too, even though he’s supposed to be a patron of a charity for disabled people.
Outside parliamentary matters, Philp’s been busier still, though, drafting pamphlets for the ultra-right-wing Taxpayers’ Alliance on a scheme called Workfare, an uber-Thatcherite policy which will see benefits withdrawn from millions more.
And this weekend, Philp’s been sending out emails to people on the local Tory database, inviting them to come along to a party rally with the Conservatives’ candidate for London Mayor.
It’s all a bit hush-hush, though, as if it is some illegal rave being organised by shady characters, and where there will be too much Colombian marching powder available. Very Breaking Bad.
“Location details will … be shared with you in due course,” Philp’s email states, in a sort of knowing whisper. “We hope you can come along.”
Chris Philp’s latest email to a select list of his supporters: the Croydon South MP has been busy campaigning, and voting to cut disability benefits
If you want to register to find out where this spiffing Tory Party party is taking place, then follow the directions in Philp’s email: “To register to attend, please just email townhall@backzac2016.com with your name and address.”
- Still Croydon’s only independent news source, and based in the heart of the borough: 1.97 million page views 2013-2015
- Inside Croydon: Named among best regional media campaigns, 2014
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, a residents’ or business association or local event to publicise, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
Looking at the e-mail address for registering is the meet up in the Town Hall?
By that, do you mean a hipster caff with overpriced skinny lattes off Surrey Street?
I got an invite, so it can’t be that exclusive.
Which charity does Goldsmith claim to be patron of? Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) are compiling a database of all the hypocritical MPs who attack disabled people
It’s called Richmond AID.
Tom Pride covers their reaction to it, here.
I spoke to Tanni Grey-Thompson about the measure, and the procedures used by the Tories to push it through, and it is difficult to judge whether she was more angry than disgusted.
The charity that both George Osborne and Zac Goldsmith support fervently is called Conservatives Rally Around Plutocrats.