All about Margaret Hodge



Liam Smith the leader of Barking and Dagenham council needs to take care. He has made statements to the local press which some have taken to be an implied criticism of Barking MP Margaret Hodge. He told the East London Enquirer (1) that one reason the ‘far-right’ (he means the British National Party) was gaining support is that “residents don’t feel local councillors share the same values and live the same lives as they do”. Liam left school at 15 with no qualifications and lives in a council house in the borough. He thinks Councillors should have things in common with those they represent. Sadly his sensible comments provoked finger-pointing towards the millionaire Hodge. A cloud of suspicion and anger was said to be gathering over her lovely home in Islington! In his defence we should say that Liam wisely made no comment about MPs. He certainly didn’t comment on whether millionaire Hodge shared the same life as her constituents. He was speaking only of councillors! Perhaps he will avoid the fate of those who have riled ‘Enver’ Hodge.  Just watch your words Liam!

(1)    East London Enquirer, 18 March, 2010.