followed this thread with interest , my thoughts are there are two types of Labour MP , #1 a friend of Tony , someone shipped in from outside by party HQ to a safe labour seat , no local links but a place in the party hierarchy (think Jack Straw and Peter Hain) and #2 a Tony drone , a local MP with strong local links who is just there just to supply the necessary party vote but with no influence over Party/Govt. policy (think Greg Pope) .
Regarding local matters, I think a Tony drone MP would be better able to get involved and help his constituants with local problems/matters since he/she has usually moved up into the job from local govt. (Borough/County Council etc.) and knows who is who, and knows where the bodies are buried .
Before anyone jumps down on me ...I acknowledge that there are exceptions to every rule as was prooved in the last election South Wales when the local folk rejected a Party stooge and went for the local , and also the other way a few years back when a "Tory grandee" Harold McMillan was able to represent Stockton for so many years .
