Millionaire Lib-Dem MP VS A student occupying his constituency office

This video reflects the attitudes of the corrupt political class of millionaire MPs that are running the UK right now. Particularly in regard to how they view the struggles of normal (poor) people, and young people.

Source: BBC Radio West Midlands:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00cflt7/Lunch_with_Ed_Doolan_06_12_2010/
( Begins at ~0:22:20 )

On 06/12/2010 (three days before the UK Parliament is set to vote on threefold tuition fee increases) a small group of university students occupied Lib-Dem MP John Hemming's constituency office in Yardley, Birmingham!

Ten of us walked into his office at about 11:30am. All a peaceful affair, some quiet chanting for a bit, then some of us went outside to hold a banner. Police came to watch over, as usual. The MP was on his way to London while the shutters of his constituency office went halfway down. However people were still entering and exiting, and we were welcoming people who walked in. It was all rather nice!

Then one of the students was called by BBC West Midlands radio, and was surprised to find that John Hemming was also being called at the same time.

He was arrogant and patronising, informing the student that "Parliament is in London", he tried to emotionally blackmail the students by explaining that one of his constituents was 'destitute', and that another constituent's relative was being detained in Saudi Arabia; and that our presence in the office was preventing this vital work being done.

But it was not the case, we were letting people in and out, we were peaceful and well mannered, we were not preventing the office workers from accessing their telephones and computers and so on, albeit with the shutters only half down and with about 6 students sitting on the floor inside and four students outside holding a big banner.

This was pointed out to him on the radio, but he rejected the claims and after the radio clash was over, the shutters started to close down and police started to beat students away from the entrance.

This MP is a millionaire and yet an expenses fiddler: he took out a £200,000 mortgage on a flat in Covent Garden - subsidised by the tax payer - and used the money to repay a loan on offices housing his private business in Alcester Road, Moseley.

He then had the gall to write on his blog ( http://johnhemming.blogspot.com/2010/12/student-occupation-and-destitution.html ) that our peaceful actions had sealed his desicion to break the Lib Dem election promise. In fact it turns out he made that decision a while ago:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/07/scrap-tuition-fees-we-have

A few hours later, due to the continued presence of the occupiers and with the offices already closed, his assistants decided to pack up and go home early; meaning that the office would be shut for the rest of the day. I wonder if that would have been possible without his arrogance! The occupiers left (with some 'encouragement' from the police) and the premises remained shut.

Throughout the day we have received inspiring messages of solidarity, and as we held the FIGHT THE CUTS banner by the roadside much carhorn solidarity was expressed also. Some local Labour activists passed by and chatted to us and bought us tea too! Here are some of the messages we received from around the country:

"I read on Twitter that you have occupied the MP's office! Go you. I fully support your actions and hope you are all ok. From your friend and comrade in Bristol"

"Solid solidarity from Brighton town, well done. Stay strong and wear a vest"

"Your opposition and actions are sending shockwaves through Westminster. A truly wonderful campaign. Your victory will be hugely significant. Well done!"

"As a trainee teacher, an ex student, a parent and a concerned citizen I wholeheartedly support you and if it wasn't for a tummy bug I'd be there with you. You make me incredibly proud. Keep up the good work comrades."

We want to thank everyone for the support, and we call on students all around the country to do what we did today in Birmingham!

Other coverage:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-11928867

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2010/12/06/students-occupy-off...

A PETITION TO HAVE JOHN HEMMING RESIGN, PLEASE SIGN:
http://www.petition.co.uk/john-hemming-to-resign-or-have-the-lib-dem-whip-rem...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• government
• uk
• united
• kingdom
• tuition
• fees
• cuts
• public
• sector
• imperialism
• imperialist
• england
• london
• birmingham
• john
• hemming
• mp
• mps
• lib-dems
• liberal
• democrats
• conservatives
• con-dem
• stikes
• strike
• occupy
• occupations
• university
• education
• learning
• poor
• rich
• millionaire
• tax
• evader
• expenses
• fiddler

[eaglepies]

@johnhemming you pulled down the shutters on your office and locked it, not us. stop trying to use your constituents as political capital, you've already betrayed us once.

[pharmakida]

use your mobile to help the vulnerable john

or bettter still, resign along with the rest of your government.

[johnhemming]

It is pretty simple really. The point was made to the protestors that they were hurting people weaker than themselves, but they didn't stop. They already had got pretty well all of the publicity that they could have got. Had they left when asked at 12.30pm they would have behaved far more acceptably.

I am voting for the government proposals because they are a fairer alternative where wealthy graduates pay more and the poorer graduates pay less (or even nothing).

[MentalMindFork]

@johnhemming The protestors were protesting in favour of vulnerable people who will not be able to attend univesity with the proposed fee increase and scrapping of EMA.

[1nterval]

The issue is the fact he said he'd vote for the raising of fees as a punishment to the 15 or so people 'occupying' his office? That's a somewhat perverse way to make a decision that's going to affect the majority of potential students for the next decade, especially when the Lib Dems pledged to abolish tuition fees. Total dick.

[roguelettuce]

@johnhemming Really? That's funny, because what I hear is them saying that they're not preventing any work from being done. "We're not preventing the work being done", "That can be arranged" and "No problem" being some rather obvious indications that they don't intend to disrupt your office's work.

You really must think the public are stupid to metaphorically hold a gun to your own head and threaten to pull the trigger.

[tuppennyblue]

John's 'office' is a one stop shop for anyone in his constituency that has any sort of problem that they need help with. It clearly wasn't possible for people to have personal discussions with a gang of chanting students filling the room.

As for 'millionaire' - note that John is travelling to London by public transport! He drives a fifteen year old diesel car which he runs on chip fat and puts around £30 000 a year of his OWN money into the work he does for his constituents.

[10yearplan]

I will not be voting for you when the next election comes around, I voted Lib Dem at the last elections. Never again.

[eaglepies]

nice one mr o connell, you kept your cool despite his condescending and patronising attitude. he'll be voted out next election no doubt, along with the rest of his lying scumbag party - and good riddance!

[johnhemming]

Rubbish. This shows how the protestors don't care about vulnerable people.