Labour reacted with surprise after UKIP revealed controversial MEP Godfrey Bloom would be their lead candidate in the 2009 European elections for Yorkshire & Humber. Since his election in 2004, Bloom has described flood victims as idiots, repeatedly insulted women and called people in social housing "ASBO carrying monsters".
Labour now plans to win the seat back next June and if they succeed it will go to 27-year-old Emma Hoddinott, a former Mayoress of Beverley, who currently works in Bradford.
Richard Corbett MEP said: "It beggars belief UKIP have chosen to put Godfrey Bloom up again and we're determined that he doesn't win another term."
Emma Hoddinott said: "Godfrey Bloom has insulted people whose homes have been flooded, he has insulted young women, he has insulted gay people and he has insulted people who live in social housing. People in Yorkshire and Humber should return the favour and evict Godfrey Bloom from the European Parliament next year."
- Godfrey Bloom on flood victims: "I don't live on a flood plain and I don't see why I should subsidise some idiot who does." Sunday Express 02/09/2007
- Godfrey Bloom on social housing : "People who buy their own homes invest in them and cherish them, do not want social housing anywhere near them. It all too frequently brings neighbours from hell. People want neighbours who share their values, not ASBO carrying monsters shipped in from the other side of town." - Sheffield Star, 18/07/2007
- Godfrey Bloom on gay people: "I certainly don't have a fear of homosexuals, just a mild distaste for what they do." - The Sprout, Summer 2006
- Godfrey Bloom on women: "I just don't think they clean behind the fridge enough" and "I am here to represent Yorkshire women who always have dinner on the table when you get home." July 2004
- Godfrey Bloom on small businesses and women: "No self-respecting small businessman with a brain in the right place would ever employ a lady of child baring age." July 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3912205.stm
- MEPs are elected by proportional representation with each party putting up a list of candidates. Godfrey Bloom heads UKIP's list.
- Labour's list of candidates is: Linda McAvan MEP, Richard Corbett MEP, Emma Hoddinott, David Bowe, Melanie Onn and Mahroof Hussain
more information
Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP
- phone 0113 245 8987
- e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk
© 2003-2006 Richard Corbett MEP