Hoddinott the recycling queen.

Hoddinott the recycling queen.

Well, well, despite her proclamations that she would only serve two terms, Sarah Champion is the first of the town’s MPs to confirm she will be standing for re-election this June.

All utterly predictable of course, given the price of pony nuts these days. In all probability, Champion will retain the seat with support from the brothers of the biraderi, aided and abetted by the momentously blinkered. But, if I may coin a vulgar colloquialism; this has rather pissed on Emma Hoddinott’s firework.

It was pure serendipity that Hoddinott was out supporting a council initiative to get Rotherham recycling this week, given the number of times she’s attempted to recycle herself. Let’s see; ex trade unionist, ex wannabe MEP, and ex parliamentary hopeful for seats across the region.

Ex being the operative word in each instance. But let’s not forget Hoddinott’s most significant former roles were those of Press Officer of Rotherham Labour Group during the final years of Roger Stone’s leadership, when there were allegations that she was involved in attempting to gag journalists reporting on the child abuse scandal. And former Deputy Leader of the Council declared not fit for purpose.

I’ve heard on the grapevine that Hoddinott’s ambition knows no boundaries locally. Especially ward boundaries it would seem. Because Hoddinott has moved house. Out of Bramley, which lies in the Wickersley ward she was elected to represent, and into neighbouring Sitwell ward. No big deal in the grand scheme of things perhaps. Most people aspire to home ownership in one of the better parts of town don’t they? But seriously: A councillor who actually lives in the ward they represent moving out! What are the voters of Wickersley to make of that?

But there’s a persistent rumour about there’s a swimming pool in Hoddinott’s new back garden. Hard though it is, we must shelve that mental image of the pool side drinks parties with carefully selected sycophants parading in their cozzies desperate to impress the big fish in the small pond. Better to focus on whether the swimming pool in the garden and a seat at the Cabinet table are now the ultimate symbols of being handsomely rewarded for repeated failure.

But I wonder what the good people of Rotherham would think, if they knew that  Roger Stone’s little helper in the Press Office turned Deputy Leader of their not fit for purpose council, now splashed about in her own private pool with the rubber ring. Perhaps they should be told? But given recent events, perhaps the glad tidings should be shared with the citizens of other boroughs too. Because rumour is that Hoddinott has already packed her little red suitcase, and has crayoned the words West Hull and Hessle across the side. Underneath a forlorn old unison sticker that just won’t come off despite all the rubbing.

Readers may wish for a look at this previous post: https://rotherhampolitics.wordpress.com/2017/04/10/sansome-and-delilah/