Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, has come under fire after including within a tweet at the weekend that a cannon in Shalfleet, used against French attacks until 1779, had been “got rid of too early 😀”.
The MP was canvassing with the Conservative candidate for the upcoming Isle of Wight council by-election when he tweeted a photo of himself and Carol Bryan saying,
“The village church is from c13th. The tower behind us doubled-up as a fortress against French attacks. A canon was kept there until 1779. We got rid of it too early! 😀”
Seely: “It was just a joke”
News OnTheWight wrote to Bob Seely and his office on Sunday to ask what he meant by the comment.
His assistant replied today, saying,
“I have spoken with Bob this morning and he said it was just a joke.”
Tweets calling out the MP
Bob’s tweet attracted many replies from residents unhappy with the MP, questioning whether it was a ‘dog whistle’ (definition of dog whistle) and inflammatory. Here’s a sample of the replies.
“A poisonous and childish comment”
Dr Mark Spencer said,
“What a poisonous and childish comment. You’re an MP, kindly behave in the manner you’re supposed to.”
Jonathan Reed replied to the MP, saying
Why @IoWBobSeely mention “French attacks”, a canon, and “we got rid of it too early”? One would think you are trying to stir up hatred!
“Is it a dog whistle you really need?”
Richard Quigley from Island Labour replied,
“Can you explain the meaning behind this tweet Bob. The mention of a can(n)on and getting rid of it too soon seems you are trying to tell us something. Is it a dog whistle you really need?”
Warning! Dog whistle alert! This is grubby even by your barrel scraping standards Bob, a new low.
“Sense of dog whistle humour only equalled by previous choice of leader”
David Fothergill said,
“Our esteemed MP’s sense of dog whistle humour is only equalled by his previous choice of leader! Photo opportunity in some of the poorer communities and areas of the island soon BBQ? Maybe a public question and answer session too for your many interested constituents?”
News OnTheWight searched for anybody supporting Bob Seely’s tweet, but could not find them.
