Mayoral Musings from Middlesbrough (01)

Andy Preston has been quick to cry foul this week following what seems to be very well founded complaints regarding him claiming a false home address, in fact he's even been bleating on about it on the Fly Me To The Moon Message Board.

Although you have to go a fair way down before you find Mr. Preston's input.

Andy Preston, and some of his supporters, have been quick to shout "smear campaign" when Andy isn't above a bit of smearing himself.

Twice on April 6th and once again on April 7th he tweeted:

"A Good Mayor Will expose bad politicians, bad practice and corruption I'll do that without hesitation" (sic)

Now if that doesn't imply that there is already corruption to be exposed then what was the point of saying it?

Andy Preston knows fine well that there is no evidence of corruption and he has absolutely no reason to imply it other than to blow a dog whistle to appeal to the baser prejudices of his supporters. However if you indulge in such tactics then you shouldn't complain when it's turned on you - politics is a tough old game.

The next post will address Preston's tweet of 5th April:

"Why do political activists Put their party first before Middlesbrough Remember they kept backing Stuart Bell"

Which reminded me of certain parallels between Bell & Preston.