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"A different type of people" travel standard class, says Tory MP

Retiring Nicholas Winterton blasts new parliament rules banning first class travel.

By Samira Shackle Published 18 February 2010 13:32

Out of touch? Check. Rampant disregard for public opinion? Check. Sir Nicholas Winterton, the soon-to-retire Tory MP for Macclesfield, brought them all out this morning.

Hot from an interview with Total Politics magazine, where he took issue with new rules that will stop MPs from travelling first class, he told BBC Radio 5 Live this morning that those who travel standard class are "a totally different type of people", with a "different outlook on life".

Talk about digging yourself a hole. He had already caused a stir when he told Total Politics that the move would put MPs "below local councillors and officers of local government".

CCHQ had issued a rebuttal by 11.45am (pretty impressive, considering his appearance on 5 Live was between 10am and 11am):

These are the out-of-touch views of a soon-to-retire backbench MP. They do not in any way represent the view of David Cameron and the Conservative Party and should be treated as such.

Let's hope all those "different types" of voters take that on board.

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Tags: Conservatives

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8 comments

Thu, 2010-02-18 14:16 — TC (not verified)

Cobblers. How much work can you get done on the train in the cheap seats Samira?

Sir Nicholas's view is completely valid. I've been a commuter for 15 years and it is a completely different quality of experience in first class. I wish I was in first class more often. I wish journalists wouldn't pretend the world was some utopia just when it suits their story to do so.

Thu, 2010-02-18 15:00 — Hannah (not verified)

Read the article TC – I don’t think the issue is whether you can or can’t work on standard class carriages. The problem is the language that this guy chose to talk about people – in snobbish and out-dated terms of class and status. It’s the fact that he spoke about “different types of people” rather than the fact that it’s noisier.

Thu, 2010-02-18 15:47 — Dominic2

You're right Hannah. The interview demonstrates that Winterton's main problem is having to share a confined space with people who aren't upper class. he is pissed at being ranked 'below' other people whom he obviously considers inferior. He doesn't see why he should stand when there are no seats. What a prick

Thu, 2010-02-18 15:47 — jason (not verified)

Sir Nicholas is standing down.

Thu, 2010-02-18 16:00 — Matt (not verified)

What an Arsehole

Thu, 2010-02-18 16:49 — TC (not verified)

I applaud his honesty. If Tories let down their guard and stopped being ashamed of their own views, real Tory voters would connect with them. Something they don't at the moment.

Take Boris. He is what he is and people embrace it. He may be more charming with it than Sir Nick but the message is the same.

Thu, 2010-02-18 18:37 — Quietzapple

Anyone with a scintilla of concentration can work in one of the Quiet second class coaches these days, though Sir Nicholas may not be aware of that.

If it Was necessary to travel First to work on his train to and from Macclesfield I'd favour First Class fares from the public purse for MPs.

In view of David Chameleon's Pa Glum act - Guinness and Sky for him, Guvnor, hornest - I wonder that he did not advise old Sir Nick of how super it is in Second these days . . .

Fri, 2010-02-19 00:32 — TC (not verified)

'Scintilla'! You're defending the working man with Latin?

This is just another opportunity for the 'Outraged of Tunbridge Wells' mob to raise their voices. What's tickling is that the angrier you all get the more susceptible you are to being pandered to by sympathetic politicians.

Ad captandum vulgus as you might say Zapple.