By Ben Kerrigan-
Matt Hancock’s constituency party has hypocritically vowed to stick by him after he gave a “heartfelt apology”, despite calls for his deselection.
Hancock was shamefully forced to resign from Cabinet over leaked footage of him kissing a female aide, but is receiving support, despite his unacceptable behaviour that led to him stepping down. This kind of network support is a destructive characteristic of public figures, celebrities, and even the police force, in many cases.
Public figures know when conduct is wrong, but still decide to show support for their offending colleagues. This is generally believed to be for the purpose of protecting hidden interests they may have with those they are seen to support. In their show of support, they also unwittingly expose their lack of integrity. The principle of collective responsibility that goes with parliamentary memberships is converted to collective lack of integrity, a disease that needs to be extirpated from the system.
Mr Hancock admitted he had flouted the “no hugging” social-distancing rules that were in force at the time of his clinch with Gina Coladangelo.
After Tory councillor Ian Houlder told the Standard he was “disgusted” by Mr Hancock’s behaviour and had written to his local association calling for him to be deselected before the next election, the MP’s local association has spoken out in support of Mr Hancock saying he has “faced up to the mistakes” he made.
Mr Hancock’s constituency association was reportedly divided after the decision to leave his wife of 15 years, Martha- a popular figure in Westminster. Hancock had delegated much of the work of networking with local worthies to his wife.
One anonymous councillor told the Telegraph there was not “outrage” but a “sense of sadness” for the family. They added: “There is support for Matt as a constituency MP and that seems to be holding up.” Councillors arereluctant to identify themselves with the disgraced cheat, which is why they are speaking anonymously to the press.
In a statement, the West Suffolk Conservative Association said: “Following Matt Hancock’s resignation as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, West Suffolk Conservative Association has taken soundings.
“We wish to express our support for Matt, who has served our Constituency tirelessly over the past 11 years.
“Matt has given us a heartfelt apology for recent events, has faced up to the mistakes he has made on both a human and a professional level and expressed sincere contrition.
“We want to thank Matt for the extraordinary job he has done as Health Secretary leading the country through the pandemic and overseeing the roll out of the world’s best vaccination programme, and look forward to working with him as he continues to represent his constituents in Parliament.”
Councillor Houlder said the MP’s actions were “beyond the pale” and added: “It’s nothing to do with his sordid affair because otherwise you’d have an empty parliament wouldn’t you?
“It’s the very fact he stood up there for a year spouting, pontificating, ordering, browbeating, slagging off people who broke his rules.”
Mr Hancock’s constituency association was said to be divided in the wake of his decision to leave his wife of 15 years, Martha, who is a popular figure. He is said to have delegated much of the work of networking with local worthies to his wife.
One anonymous councillor told the Telegraph there was not “outrage” but a “sense of sadness” for the family. They added: “There is support for Matt as a constituency MP and that seems to be holding up.”