Twigg...or...Twigger?

WHAT's in a name. It seems political shananagins have already started aimed at confusing electorate ahead of next year’s General Election.

There was a time when ballot papers contained a list of candidates, but no mention of the parties they represented.

Veteran Bob Wareing, sitting as an independent after quitting Labour, is likely to oppose Stephen Twigg, the official Labour Party candidate. The Lib Dems have unveiled their secret weapon for the assault on West Derby: Paul Twigger. You can see the potential confusion, even though the Lib Dems insist its coincidence

It meant election agents using every trick in the book to make sure their own person was in everybody’s mind.

Party members patrolled the streets with Tannoys parroting the name of the candidate to vote for.

Volunteers in clapped out jalopies chauffeuring reluctant voters from their firesides, lecturing them on the way to the polling station about the virtues of the best man or woman for the job.

Now it seems the sleight-of-hand and election wizardry departments have been started.

Veteran Bob Wareing, now sitting as an independent after quitting Labour after over 60 years of membership, is likely to oppose Stephen Twigg (pictured below), the official Labour Party candidate.

The Lib Dems have unveiled their secret weapon for the assault on West Derby, councillor Paul Twigger. You can see the potential confusion, even though the Lib Dems insist its coincidence.

In the recent Euro elections long standing Labour hopeful, Theresa Griffin faced a battle against the BNP’s Nick Griffin – he went on to win a seat.

I’m not sure trickery, intended or otherwise, will confuse or confound a public already on red alert and cynical about politics and politicians.

Love them or loathe them one thing is clear, most politicians work so hard for their cash. I predicted – and I know I’ll be right – the so-called expenses scandal will be solved by giving MPs a big pay rise and guaranteed living expenses. So, to make sure they are all squeaky clean, it will cost us taxpayers. In many ways it would have been better to allow the status-quo, ie liberal exes, to continue on the basis it would have saved millions.

My solution was too simple – a wage for the job plus a £24,000 a year allowance for living costs, and not a farthing more.

Our MPs have to have a main home, preferably in their constituencies, and somewhere to live in London. That £24,000 would not buy much more than a glorified bedsit. No receipts needed, no claims for extras. If they wanted to sleep under Westminster Bridge and pocket the dosh that’s fine by me.

But back to the name game. I wonder whether there are a ny other potential politicians who could throw people off the scent?

How about a comeback for Lady Doreen Jones (LD) taking on Labour’s Helen Jones in Warrington South. Man of the moment Gary Millar(LD) could face Labour’s Andrew Miller in Ellesmere Port, while colleague Malcolm Kelly could nip over to Bolton West and fight Ruth Kelly. One time Labour councillor, then Lib Deb Nadia Stewart is quitting the town hall. So she could head to Eccles and oppose Labour’s Ian Stewart.

My favourite though, would be Gerry Marsden, taking a ferry across the Mersey and up the coast to Blackpool to challenge Labour’s Gordon Marsden. Depends though on the politics of the veteran popstar.