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Labour peer Philip Gould blasts 'smear campaign' against daughter
Benedict Moore-Bridger26.03.09
A LABOUR peer and one of Tony Blair's former closest advisers today launched a scathing attack on a "smear campaign" aimed at derailing his daughter's hopes of becoming an MP.
Georgia Gould, whose father Philip Gould was Mr Blair's polling guru, has become embroiled in a nepotism row amid allegations she was "parachuted" into a safe Labour seat.
The 22-year-old Oxford graduate is hoping to become one of the youngest MPs ever if she is elected for the London seat of Erith and Thamesmead. But the selection process has caused a rift within Labour, with Gordon Brown's former press secretary Charlie Whelan backing Ms Gould's competitor, union official Rachel Maskell.
One MP reportedly called Ms Gould's inclusion "a stich-up", saying: "The New Labour machine has swung behind her, and nobody else has a look-in."
On a blog used by Kent Labour activists, one post read: "A 22-year-old upper-middle-class daughter of a smarmy high priest of New Labour would go down as well here as a bucket of week-old vomit. If she is selected, my money's on a shock Tory gain." Lord Gould today hit back at accusations of favouritism in his daughter's efforts to succeed retiring Labour MP John Austin, who held a majority of 11,500 at the last election. He told the Standard: "Georgia spends every day at the constituency.
"She is only interested in doing the best job she possibly can for the people of Erith and Thamesmead.
"It is outrageous and unacceptable that people are conducting a smear campaign of this sort against my daughter at a time when bringing young people into the Labour party in positions of responsibility is probably the most important thing we can do. It is time to move away from old politics of insinuation and accusation and start to discuss things that really matter-ideas, values and policies.
"This is simply unacceptable and must stop. Georgia has received absolutely no preferential treatment whatsoever, and has done it all on her own. Any success she has is from her own efforts and hard work, her own drive and determination."
Ms Gould joined the Labour party aged 15, later becoming secretary of Oxford University Labour Club, and has worked for Mr Blair's Faith Foundation. In a leaflet to constituents she said she wanted to "break down apathy and involve local people in local politics".
She said: "It's the year 2009 and yet there are only three MPs in the House of Commons under the age of 30. Frankly, that is not good enough."
Ms Gould's supporters include Mr Blair's former press secretary Alastair Campbell.
Mr Campbell said: "Not just in Erith but right round the country, if Labour is going to stay in power, we need young people with energy, passion and hope, not the tired cynicism of failed hackery, be it that of a journalist or a self-styled fixer feeding him bilge."
Reader views (26)
Oh no, not another Oxford graduate. They're positively dangerous because they think they're cleverer than they really are. Look at how Tony Blair was "told by God" that invading Iraq was a good idea.
- Kevin, london, uk
So Labour are deserting us working class in this constituency even more now. Brown wants us to vote for experience, yet they are trying to hoist some upper-middle-class-lass with no experience of life upon us. Politics used to be about those in a community wishing to serve the community with the experiences they have gained over many, many years. This is just someone else to lazy to get a real job in the real world because she wants an excessive paypacket now, with loads of fringe benefits. Go get a life girl, then come back and try again when you have real experience and not just a wish to free load off the taxpayer.
- Abbywood, Abbey Wood in the constituency of Erith & Thamesmead
"It's the year 2009 and yet there are only three MPs in the House of Commons under the age of 30. Frankly, that is not good enough."
There shouldn't be ANY MPs under the age of 30 - it should be an absolute bare minimum age requirement. How can someone in their 20s claim to have the acquired enough life experience to be involved in the running of the country is beyond me.
The arrogance of this spoilt little girl's Daddy in trying to claim no nepotism has taken place is quite amusing though - yet further proof of the contemptuous view that politicians have of the public. They really do think every single one of us is utterly stupid and will believe anything they say don't they.
- Alex, London
M'mm - student daughter of influential Labour peer parachuted into safe Labour seat over local candidates. Can't see what there's to smear about over that.......Hahahahahaha.
- Rm, Southampton, UK
Poor old Cllr Davey. I'm not sure why he thinks commenting on the opposing parties selection is a good idea when he's a non entity in a marginal ward that he'll lose next time...
Having actually met Ms Gould, I have to see that she is too young and lacking experience to have a chance of winning this DEMOCRATIC selection. Still, a little bit of respect for a young lady who has the tenacity to stand up for her principles at such a young age would not go amiss.
- Will, Erith
I don’t know why people are so concerned about this 22 year old girl being on the Labour candidates list for Erith & Thamesmead. I have seen some of the other candidates’ names on this centrally imposed, all female, list and they are all equally bad.
Any of these candidates will be seen as a slap in the face by voters in Erith and Thamesmead. I know they will probably see her as the “work experience girl” and this just show the contempt that Labour has for voters. Her father has said that she spends every day at the constituency; if so, I don’t rate her chances of passing her exams.
Would you want a student as an MP? When I was a student, my main interest was enjoying myself in the Students Union bar.
Anyway it’s all academic, due to boundary changes; Erith and Thamesmead has lost safe Labour areas and gained safe Conservative areas, so Labour won’t win. People in the Conservative areas will not want to exchange their good Conservative MP for a sub-standard Labour MP.
- Cllr John Davey, Abbey Wood, England
Philip Gould must be living in cuckoo-land. No one will vote for a labour candidate at the next election, and never for anyone under 30 - whatever party they belonged to. To save herself any embarrassment the girl should go out and get a proper job. It is more honourable to be seen doing an honest day's work rather than sitting in parliament fiddling expenses and getting paid for doing so.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
Good thinking, get the kids onto the gravy train, keep it in the family.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset
Another New Labour stitchup. I wouldn't want a 22 year year old as my MP.When the constituents go to see her with all kinds of problems,she simply will have no experience of what they are on about!
- A. Richardson, Sheffield UK
I would NEVER vote for a Member of Parliament who was under the age of 30. What experience of life have they? A safe,rather cosy career as a Labour MP in a safe Labour seat with all its perks and privileges must be a rather tempting prospect for a graduate. Having your Daddy as a sitting Labour MP would not be a disadvantage either. Get a proper job...
- Gordo, Birmingham.UK
This kind of blatant nepotism was also very prevalent in the old Soviet Union. Little surprise that it is common practice in the new one!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Nobody under the age of 30 should be eligible to stand as an MP as with the US Senate. What on earth has a 22 year old graduate got to offer UK plc?
- Tony Gee, London
22 years old - what practical experience has she gopt of real life?
But doesn't it tyell you all you need to know about morally bakrupt New Labour?
This young woman is the daughter of a close friend of Blair - surely now one of the most discredited PMs of all time. At 22 she is far more likely to tow the party line and be obedient - and if she's not, I am sure daddy will intervene and set her right.
After the next election I suspect labour will be out of office for at least a decade. if they replace Brown with a Blairite as seems likely, by their second defeat the very word "Blairism" will stink within the party.
But back to Gould - it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know
- Graham, Ilford Essex
Why bother discussing this? She's not got a chance.
- Albert Hall, corby
For anyone to be a MP there should be a minimum requirement of having worked in a real job for at least 10 years.
- Chris, Woking. UK
I'd like my MP's to have actually experienced real life outside of cosy Westminster before they start telling me how to live my life. How can they understand without a basis of comparison? Westminster is already divorced enough from real life, but this would be taking the mickey. She needs a proper job first.
- Incredulous, London
This is half the problem with all our political parties - too few MPs have worked outside the political world. How many Ministers have run a company or business - none I think (am happy to be corrested on this). Look at the debacale on Business Rates - how many jobs will be lost because of this botched reform. If there were more people with comercial experience then rate reform could have been bought in sensibly, without damaging an already fragile economy.
Succesful politicans need experience and her father is doing her no favours in the long term.
- Jeremy E, London