Peter, if this is the case then perhaps he needs to get some PR guys on board to promote this. As it stands I look at the MEN and SMR every week and there is little mention of John Leech and what he gets up to. I think that John seriously lacks 'marketability' and if he is to stand any kind of a chance at the next election then he needs to pull his finger out pretty quickly. Labour are going to storm Withington with all guns blazing, there will be no mistakes made or any complacency this time. Don't get me wrong, I don't want him to win because I genuinely dislike what he stands for and am not too keen on him as an MP anyway. Lets face it, whether you like it or not, politics is about policy, but equally its about PR and promoting the good things that you do or champion. We live in a 24/7 culture where I can watch the news on my phone at any time, receive email updates on a blackberry etc. There is no escaping this and so, politicians especially, need to adapt to this.
As for the McDonalds stuff, I'm a big fan of McDonalds and worryingly for me now live opposite one!!! There is alot of hype surrounding them making them out to be an evil empire who are making the country fat. Thats bollocks, people are fat because they eat crap all day every day; again it's down to what I always champion.. freedom of choice. You can choose to go to McDonalds or you can chhose not too. The bad image, unfortunately rubs off on the staff there too who are often perceived as being uneducated and stupid. Essnetially yes, there are some stupid people that work at McDonalds, just like there are stupid people working in every industry. What I would say about the staff at McDonalds is, at least they are working and paying tax which is alot more than can be said for some people. If people work for a living and pay their taxes then they have my respect, regardless of whether its a McJob or not!
As for Mr Leech, so what, if he got free tickets, or free transport then good for him. I go out with customers every now and then and it's all paid for by the company, meal, drinks, hotels etc.... should I feel guilty... no, I'm just doing my job and that happens to be one of the benefits of it!
