Doncaster’s first Conservative MP in decades

[foxbat]

What were they thinking ?

From the Free Press website - learning to be a Johnson

Doncaster Conservative MP accused of faking constituency visits - after using same selfie photo three times #Doncaster
https://t.co/7WH0W54snR https://t.co/giLNLgTE9y


Don Valley MP Nick Fletchershared a photo on his Facebook page yesterday with the caption: “Great to spend the afternoon in Thorne. It is good to see it thriving again after a tough year.”

But eagle-eyed readers spotted the photo showed Christmas trees along the street – with decorations yet to be put up in Thorne.

And further investigations revealed that the MP posted an identical photo in December 2020 – and then again in September.



Conservative MP Nick Fletcher has posted the same selfie of his visit to Thorne three times.

The picture shows Mr Fletcher posing outside a number of shops in the town, with Christmas trees attached to the walls behind him.

Constituents were quick to pick up on the gaffe.

One wrote: “When you like a selfie so much you've used the same picture three times...”

Another posted: “How come Xmas trees are up when not putting them up till after 12th?”

Another fumed: “Fake fake fake - trees are not up yet - more Tory lies.”

“Isn't this the photo from 2020?,” wrote another while another added: “Christmas lights still up from last year then Nick?”

Another added: “Nice photo - from December 2020 isn’t it? Did you even visit?!”

“Last year’s photo,” another comment said while another added: “This man must think we're all stupid.”

Mr Fletcher became Doncaster’s first Conservative MP in decades when he defeated Labour’s Caroline Flint at the December 2019 General Election.

We have contacted Mr Fletcher for comment.

[Axholme Lion]

I think there's talk of Thorne being merged with the Isle as part of prospective boundary changes.

[Sprotyrover]

More importantly had he actually been to Thorne?

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Criticise him perhaps but he's still from the area he represents it's not like he's ed milliband is it?  We do like to create stories from nothing.

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

Surely one visit to Thorne is enough for anyone?

[Bentley Bullet]

Surely one visit to Thorne is enough for anyone?

I heard he has sights on upgrading to Bentley.

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

Bentley used to be ok when i was younger. Not been back for ages now. Bought my first car after passing my test from the bloke who used to run the post office just down from Good Companions in late 90's. I also played for the Good Companions too .

[Bentley Bullet]

Comps used to be my local in the 80's/90's.

[SydneyRover]

He sounds like he'd suit the bentley folk just fine.

[scawsby steve]

Surely one visit to Thorne is enough for anyone?

I heard he has sights on upgrading to Bentley.

Then even further, to the Aristocracy of Scawsby.

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

Surely one visit to Thorne is enough for anyone?

I heard he has sights on upgrading to Bentley.

Then even further, to the Aristocracy of Scawsby.

Talking of aristocracy. I am originally from Cusworth and moved south of the border to Scawsby when i was about 14. Donny royalty me.

[Donnywolf]

All good comments in OP from critics in Thorne - but first thing I noticed was it didnt look 100 per cent like him and I didnt immediately recognise Thorne

Then I spotted why - both photos - have been "reversed" when printed - see the signs in background - so also careless as well as [potentially] deceitful

[mugnapper]

I guess the reason he did it was Tories have been told to be more visible, so we don't think they are all operating from the Virgin Islands.
Thorne isn't a tax haven yet is It?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/geoffrey-cox-sleaze-boris-johnson-b1954610.html

[turnbull for england]

I'm DN8 born and bred , and while shop owners are trying , thriving is pushing it. Parking is hard for the independents and easy for the big stores . Yon MP may well have been in town when he said, but  why would you put an old photo on.  its just slack and invites the criticism that's followed

[ravenrover]

Bentley used to be ok when i was younger. Not been back for ages now. Bought my first car after passing my test from the bloke who used to run the post office just down from Good Companions in late 90's. I also played for the Good Companions too .

When did you play for Good Companions? I had a couple of seasons with them

[Filo]

I'm DN8 born and bred , and while shop owners are trying , thriving is pushing it. Parking is hard for the independents and easy for the big stores . Yon MP may well have been in town when he said, but  why would you put an old photo on.  its just slack and invites the criticism that's followed

I nipped into that shop opposite the White Hart yesterday, thriving is a word far from what it was yesterday, deserted was closer to the mark

[drfchound]

I'm DN8 born and bred , and while shop owners are trying , thriving is pushing it. Parking is hard for the independents and easy for the big stores . Yon MP may well have been in town when he said, but  why would you put an old photo on.  its just slack and invites the criticism that's followed

Some good points made there Turnbull.
Out of interest, I find that If I need a few bits and bobs that I can nip into Thorne and get them.
I like to park up opposite Thorne Park (near Howarths) but if those spaces are full I just go to either the Lidl or Sainsbury’s car parks and walk into the shops from there.
Free parking for a short stay.

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

Bentley used to be ok when i was younger. Not been back for ages now. Bought my first car after passing my test from the bloke who used to run the post office just down from Good Companions in late 90's. I also played for the Good Companions too .

When did you play for Good Companions? I had a couple of seasons with them

Can't remember exactly. Managers i was under were a bloke called Craig and also Troy, but i played deffo mid to late 90's as i also played for the Sun Inn and also the Cecil at Warmy which i believe is now long gone and is now a restaurant.

[ravenrover]

We must know each other as I played for Sun Inn from the 2nd year it was formed before going to The Co-op Club, you'll also know Scawsby Steve as well
I'll DM you

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

Turns out we are years out RR. Mine was mid 1990's.

[roversdude]

What ! they have electric lights in Thorne

[idler]

What ! they have electric lights in Thorne

It depends who is pedalling.

[BillyStubbsTears]

They have pedlars in Thorne?

[Donnywolf]

Ive put everything the right way round for him now

[Muttley]

I'm guessing you've never taken a selfie Donnywolf!

[Filo]

This raises the question of did he claim expenses for a non visit?

[Donnywolf]

I'm guessing you've never taken a selfie Donnywolf!

You have me "bang to rights". Never taken a single one

I DID intend to open my account and take my very first at Britannia Stadium recently just me and " the Franny Tierney - Promotion Goal" net in shot.

However my Phone ran out of Battery and my full Power Bank was in car - 50 yards from Turnstile but no amount of pleading worked so Retford Rover kindly did the honours - so still no selfie

Are you telling me every one talen by everyone is reversed ?

[Donnywolf]

This raises the question of did he claim expenses for a non visit?

He has "confirmed" by Tweet

It has been widely reported that yesterday, I reused an old photo of me visiting Thorne.

While I did in fact attend a surgery there, it was a mistake for me to reuse a picture.

So, on my next visit, I’ll make sure to take a new photo to promote this great town in #DonValley!



It is now being said the "Surgery" was a meeting with just 1 man but these days - who knows ?

[Filo]

This raises the question of did he claim expenses for a non visit?

He has "confirmed" by Tweet

It has been widely reported that yesterday, I reused an old photo of me visiting Thorne.

While I did in fact attend a surgery there, it was a mistake for me to reuse a picture.

So, on my next visit, I’ll make sure to take a new photo to promote this great town in #DonValley!



It is now being said the "Surgery" was a meeting with just 1 man but these days - who knows ?

It wasn’t a “mistake” though was it?

He intended to use the picture, which by definition is not a mistake

[Bentley Bullet]

He made a mistake by not realising that such a trivial thing would provoke so much outrage among those who are relentless in pursuit of outrages.