Robert and Dulcie Atkins

Posted on November 1, 2009 by maryhoneyballmep

Tipstaff[1]Daniel Oxley, who posted a comment on my recent blog on the Lisbon Treaty, is an occasional commenter on the Honeyball Buzz.  He has recently suggested that there is something improper about Sir Robert Atkins Conservative MEP “publicising” his wife on his webiste. On his front page he has a link to his wife Lady Dulcie Atkins. Duclie Atkins (pictured in the middle) is also listed as working from their home the Manor House in Garstang on his contacts page. Now it seems to me that this may be a little clumsily presented, but I read it that Robert is trying to be open and clear that he employs his wife, and that she has a public life herself which she is of course entitled to. Indeed I note her involvement with the Conservative Womens Organisation which must make for interesting conversations bearing in mind Robert’s anti-women voting record.

I would also disagree with Robert on his opposition to extending education in Europe. I personally think it is not good practice as he does to pay for an office in his own home as he does. Like my Labour colleagues I often take work home, but I do not expect to be able to charge rent for doing so! I have raised before questions on his other expenses.

If Robert did not highlight his wife’s role, I am sure there would be others claiming he was trying to cover up her public duties. So I welcome his publicising these issues, although I think a little explanation would be helpful.

In these difficult economic times I wonder whether he would consider some economic regeneration? I am sure there must be some emtpy office premises in Garstang or nearby. How about taking some space and putting some money into the local economy?

Filed under: Labour Party | Tagged: , , ,

« »

4 Responses

  1. Martin, on November 4, 2009 at 12:34 pm Said:

    I tried to find Daniel’s comments on the Lisbon Treaty blog http://thehoneyballbuzz.com/2009/10/22/your-very-own-guide-to-the-lisbon-treaty/ ,

    but the URL filter came up with…

    The site you have chosen has been categorized as: Criminal Skills, Match Making

    Match-making I can understand, Criminal Skills surely not!

  2. maryhoneyballmep, on November 4, 2009 at 1:59 pm Said:

    Martin, I’m sorry you had problems with this URL. I wil look into it.

  3. Martin, on November 4, 2009 at 3:27 pm Said:

    Thanks very much Mary.

    I have found another computer where I can access that blog.

    So you’ll only need to check it out if you wish to be aware of when such a filter crops up.

  4. Daniel Oxley, on March 3, 2010 at 9:27 pm Said:

    The promotional material for Sir Robert’s wife, Councillor Lady Dulcie Mary Atkins is still on his web site and still just as prominent. It is unchanged in fact. The results of her election back in 2007 are still there, along with the ‘news’ that the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified and the long standing invitation to ‘Watch Sir Robert on Bulgarian TV Talking about the Work of the European Ombudsman and the Petitions’ Committee’.

Leave a Reply