Dominic Hannigan’s point on this blog that Helen Mary Jones’ comments on her likely Labour opponent at the next Assembly elections were ageist has received some support in this morning’s Western Mail’s letters page:
SIR – So Labour has selected a 67-year-old candidate to fight Llanelli (An age-old problem for Labour man, April 28).
What of it? If he is fit and healthy that is all that matters.
He clearly is a candidate with exceptional local credentials and ability who will fight for social justice and the interests of all the people of Llanelli, whatever their age.
The response from Helen Mary Jones AM that “…I am somewhat surprised he wants to take this challenge on at this time…” is quite frankly outrageous and discriminatory.
She often talks about equality but it seems that when it comes to her own electoral interest is more than happy to make discriminatory comments by innuendo. Is she not aware that age discrimination is illegal?
Perhaps she should meet with the Older Persons Commissioner appointed by the Welsh Assembly for re-training.
What sort of message is she sending to the older people in her own constituency.
I think she should openly and sincerely apologise for her comments. If not she will not be able to be taken seriously on any equality issue again.
MICK ANTONIW
Rhiwderin
Presumably this is the same Mick Antoniw who has been selected to succeed Jane Davidson as the Labour Candidate in Pontypridd, but that does not make his point any less valid.
Related posts:
Two wrongs don’t make a right, Peter.
Indeed, but I think Helen’s remarks were open to this interpretation even though I am sure she did not mean it that way.
I think Peter is being unneccaserily kind. I think it is not interpretation, I think it was meant exactly how it sounds.
he said she said – ask her what she meant, if it is as Mick Antoniw is saying then yes she has lost credibility. If it isn’t then she is owed an apology for being misinterpreted.
OK Helen over to you
“I think Peter is being unneccaserily kind. I think it is not interpretation, I think it was meant exactly how it sounds.”“I think Helen’s remarks were open to this interpretation“
Scraping. The. Barrel.