David Ruffley steps down - but not yet

[Sixweekstowait]

www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/28/suffolk-conservatives-divided-mp-david-ruffley-assault

Which century do some Suffolk Conservatives live in ?

[SevenZarkSeven]

This century, sadly.

Interesting that in the article quotes from Andrew Speed (the chairman of the Bury St Edmunds Conservative Association) and a member of the Bury St Edmunds Conservative Association called Bernard Sergeant both said (basically), it's a fuss about nothing, he didn't do anything wrong, this definitely isn't domestic violence, it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other, the only people who say this was wrong a feminist loons, a good man could lose his job over this blah etc (honestly mind-boggling).

Meanwhile Jenny Antill, a Conservative councillor who lives in the nearby constituency of South Suffolk and is chairman of the Suffolk Domestic Abuse Partnership said to the first guy "Do you agree that David Ruffley accepted a police caution for common assault on his then partner at his London flat earlier this year? If so, in what way does this not constitute domestic abuse?"

A really good example of why it is better to try and increase the number of women in positions of power irrespective of the colour of their politics. Here we have 3 tories, the two men say so he hit her so what no problem and the one woman says hold on that's not OK WTF are you on. Paraphrased a bit there

Still.

He should go and now, obviously.

[SevenZarkSeven]

I mean the second guy is spectacular. Not only does he say that nothing should be done to this bloke because in his opinion he's a good egg, he also states that he thinks most other complaints of DV are a load of old balls as well:

"It was a private matter, and as in most domestic issues, I suggest it was six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. Nobody really knows what went on."

What a guy!

[Sixweekstowait]

Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove said he was "sorry that Mr Ruffley will be standing down at the general election in May 2015, but fully respect his reasons".

Why is Gove sorry?

[SevenZarkSeven]

He respects his reasons? His reason is that he got done for assaulting his partner. Gotta respect that

[SevenZarkSeven]

Maybe Michael gove is a member of a US crime gang in his spare time, hence dishing out "respect" for acts of violence.

Yes that's the only thing that makes sense!

[Floisme]

Good grief.

That is all.

[Grumpla]

Kudos to Jenny Anthill.

I suspect she and I are at opposite ends of the political spectrum on many topics but it is encouraging to discover that not all Tories are actively engaged in cutting support for & apportioning blame to those who experience domestic violence.

Some of those comments from the other scumbag dinosaurs are so fucking depressing.