Over 192,000 people have signed a petition calling for George Osborne to either stand down as an MP or quit his new job as editor of the Evening Standard.
The online petition, called 'George Osborne MP - Pick A Job' was set up by the campaign group 38 Degrees.
On their website they state the petition is important because "George Osborne has just accepted a job as editor of the Evening Standard. But he's already got a full-time job as an MP, representing tens of thousands of people who live in his constituency, including me.
"It's not appropriate for someone to be a member of the government and also control a huge amount of the media. George Osborne needs to pick a job.
"The Evening Standard newspaper said its publication schedule "will enable Mr Osborne to edit the paper and continue to fulfil his other commitments, including as an MP; giving him the time to vote and contribute in parliament in the afternoon after the paper has gone to print, and be in his constituency."
"But what about when he needs to be an MP in the morning? No other full-time job would let you just work afternoons. And when it comes to standing up for constituents - helping someone in need or providing vital support to struggling families - that should always be George Osborne's number one priority."
Meanwhile Tatton Conservatives have confirmed their complete support for George Osborne, who has stated he fully intends to remain as Tatton MP and serve his constituents, at their annual meeting on Friday, 24th March.
George Osborne said "We had a great annual meeting tonight. I'm so grateful for the overwhelming support I got from Tatton Conservatives. It's a huge honour to be the local MP here."
Patti Goddard, President of the Tatton Conservative Association - "We've just had our annual meeting of the Tatton Conservatives. It was incredibly positive. There was unanimous support among the members for our local MP, George Osborne.
"He's always been able to work hard as a local MP as well as being a big figure on the national stage - whether as Chancellor or an editor. We've got complete confidence in his ability to do so in the future. He's our star."
Comments
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The Chancellor’s role was not a commercial enterprise.. A rather ‘Sycophantic’ appearance of our Lyme Green Cllr on BBC Sunday Politics, did nothing to reassure anyone other than Tory Cllrs (Not Tory Voters) that this London Centric purely financial decision was acceptable conduct.
Do the honourable thing George ! your only hanging in there for the pension now !
So, the Tatton Tories are complicit in Osbornes contempt for local people? It's good that they've made their position clear........and we can vote accordingly.
This old fashioned elitism is way past its sell-by date
Seriously Osborne. If you stand again, then don't hold your breath mate. Just pack your bags and go.
I do wonder if Osborne will now be far more effective through his editorialship of the Evening Standard in holding the government to account than the current opposition.
Well, how arrogant.
You might not have the final say.
After all it was reported in the press (on the 16th December 2015, when Speaking about Cllr Michael Jones' resignation over the "Physiogate" affair) Wilmslow Tory Councillor Rod Menlove said he "didn't see what a further investigation into the awarding of the contracts would achieve".
He explained: "There has already been an internal and an external audit done by Grant Thornton and they found nothing, so I don't see what another report would achieve.
Cllr. Menlove went on to say: "He (Michael Jones) is a man of enormous energy who has dedicated seven days and brought in millions of pounds to Cheshire East. I am disappointed that he feels he needs to go." (sic).
The Police investigation continues and further developments may be expected.
Anyone have Martin Bell's phone number ??
So .. George is gone... to his other 5 jobs
Martin Bells number ?? Anybody ??