Selly Oak’s Labour candidate in the 2010 General Election has called Gordon Brown “a big grumpy Scotsman” who would never be a “TV star”. Steve McCabe was speaking following the Prime Minister being caught on microphone calling Rochdale pensioner Gillian Duffy “grumpy.”

The remarks came during a hustings event at Cotteridge Church in Cotteridge on Wednesday 28th April. McCabe was sharing a platform with the Liberal Democrat and Conservative candidates, each of whom was asked to comment on how well their party leaders were positioned to lead the country.

McCabe said: “Gordon isn’t a TV star, I could spend a lot of time and people I know could spend a lot of time trying to make Gordon a TV star; we would fail. Gordon Brown is a big grumpy Scotsman.” McCabe went on to defend the Prime Minister’s record on the economy and outline his support for his leader.

For the Liberal Democrats, David Radcliffe argued that a vote for Nick Clegg meant you also got a great frontline team including Vince Cable. Nigel Dawkins for the Conservatives was shouted down as he began to attack Gordon Brown.

The next hustings event for Selly Oak constituency will take place on Friday 28th April, 7.30pm at King’s Norton Boys’ School.

The full list of candidates standing in the Selly Oak constituency is as follows:

UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Jeff Burgess

Green Party
James Burn

Conservative Party
Nigel Dawkins

Christian Party
Samuel Luke Leeds

Labour Party
Steve McCabe

British National Party
Lynette Ann Orton

Liberal Democrats
David Stephen Radcliffe