A Twitter spat erupted between Croydon MPs Gavin Barwell and Steve Reed who spent much of the past weekend arguing over one another’s parliamentary records.
Mr Reed claimed Mr Barwell, Conservative Croydon Central MP, mentioned squirrels more often than his own constituency in parliament, leading Mr Barwell to respond by branding the Labour MP for Croydon North a ‘buffoon’.
The hostilities began on Thursday afternoon, when Councillor John Wentworth (Lab, Upper Norwood), who also serves as Mr Reed’s election agent, tweeted: “@SteveReedMP tells @croydonlabour that @GavinBarwellMP has mentioned squirrels in Parliament more than Croydon in last 2 years.”
@SteveReedMP tells @croydonlabour that @GavinBarwellMP has mentioned squirrels in Parliament more than Croydon in last 2 years
— John Wentworth (@johnpwentworth) February 11, 2016
Mr Barwell responded in the house: “That was a debate about squirrels I will never forget – I was not entirely sure whether the red squirrel was a metaphor for socialism.”
@johnpwentworth I've been a government whip for last 2 years & therefore not able to speak in the House – as Steve well knows
— Gavin Barwell (@GavinBarwell) February 11, 2016
Mr Barwell defended himself from this accusation, pointing out that his position of government whip means he is not allowed to speak in the House.
When Croydon Labour’s official Twitter account retorted that holding that position was a ‘choice’ Mr Barwell tartly asked whether his Croydon North counterpart would also be criticising Labour whips.
.@CroydonLabour Yes it was. Presumably Steve will also be criticising Labour MPs who were whips 1997-2010? Or is it more double standards?
— Gavin Barwell (@GavinBarwell) February 12, 2016
However his explaination didn’t stop the criticisims from Mr Reed, who has held his seat in the Labour stronghold since 2012, who accused Mr Barwell of being ‘gagged’ by his whip role.
@GavinBarwellMP @CroydonLabour who forced you to be a whip and gag yourself? Not much of a 'strong voice' if it doesn't speak
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedMP) February 12, 2016
It was at this point that Mr Barwell posted a six-part message to Mr Reed outlining his rebuttal, saying ‘you shouldn’t equate speaking a lot with effectiveness’.
The 44-year-old, who joined parliament in the coalition government in 2010, said he was happy to be judged on his record, citing funding for a new A&E and increased in funding for new schools.
He also referred to his triumphant re-election last May when Croydon Central Conservatives received their biggest vote share since 1979.
He accused Mr Reed of ‘careerism’ after Mr Reed accepted a position in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet and claimed his predecessor wouldn’t have involved himself in ‘cheap point scoring’.
@SteveReedMP 6. Most importantly ask yourself would Malcolm Wicks have made this cheap point? No he wouldn't. That's why we respected him
— Gavin Barwell (@GavinBarwell) February 12, 2016
The online spat rumbled on with Mr Reed reasserting his point about Mr Barwell’s mentions of squirrels while the latter continued to defend himself on the score of his position as whip.
The row culminated in Mr Barwell calling the Labour MP a ‘clueless buffoon’ for not knowing he was appointed whip in October 2013.
The chair of Croydon Council’s Labour group stepped in to mediate and Councillor Pat Ryan, former Mayor of Croydon, repremanded Mr Barwell for his ‘childish name calling’.
While Mr Reed remained on fighting form challenging Mr Barwell’s voting record on backing £45m worth of cuts to Croydon, Mr Barwell seemingly moved on and posted a picture of himself opening a cake shop in Shirely.
Delighted to open Mama's cake shop, family run business on Wickham Rd in Shirley. My staff will be regular visitors! pic.twitter.com/S6qdnOvgkT
— Gavin Barwell (@GavinBarwell) February 12, 2016
The last word was had by Mr Reed who reposted Mr Barwell’s insult, calling the Croydon Central MP ‘a bit tetchy’.
.@GavinBarwellMP gets a bit tetchy when you point out he hasn't mentioned Croydon in Parliament for 2 years! https://t.co/ewNDCpg6dC
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedMP) February 13, 2016
Featured image courtesy of Olivier, with thanks
