Hew drags governor into his election campaign

| 10/03/2021
Picture on Hew’s social media during his campaign includes the governor

(CNS): Joey Hew has been using pictures of himself on social media in such a way as to make it look as if Governor Martyn Roper was campaigning with and endorsing him, which has sparked an election scandal for the George Town North incumbent. The commerce and infrastructure minister is already in a tight head-to-head race with Johann Moxam, who, although a newcomer to the political hustings, is no stranger to campaigning or political activism.

As part of his campaign, Hew posted pictures this week on his social media accounts showing himself and the governor visiting elderly members of the community but failed to make it clear that these images were taken more than a year and a half ago while using them to his obvious advantage.

After the image was shared on social media, Moxam wrote to the governor about the use of the images and raised the wider problem of incumbent government MPs using the trappings of the public service to enhance their own campaigns.

Roper has said the photo sent to him was at least 18 months old from a visit to senior citizens in George Town and he had offered to do similar visits with all the MPs, including the opposition. “I can assure you that I attach the highest importance to my neutrality and impartiality at all times but especially during an election campaign,” Roper told Moxam.

Moxam said he was neither offended nor bothered by the use of Roper’s image but noted that it should not be happening, especially when civil servants are under extremely tight restrictions when it comes to any kind of involvement with political campaigns.

“Hew obviously needs the image of support and positive acknowledgment by the governor during these trying times because he has been mired in numerous scandals as a minister due to his consistent inability to speak the truth on any subject due to ‘miscommunication’, incompetence and other shortcomings in his life and political career,” Moxam said of his opponent.

Hew’s challenger said he was certain that the PPM had not asked Roper to be involved or asked his permission in this or any political marketing campaign, given what should be his neutral role and his remit of good governance, safety and security issues, which definitely does not include local political matters.

But Moxam told CNS that he was also concerned about the general potential abuse of office by the coalition members, who use government services and property “as props on the campaign trail”.

He accused Premier Alden McLaughlin of using senior civil servants to present his plans for work in his constituency during a political campaign meeting with constituents. And he pointed out that government MPs have access to public roads to erect campaign signs that other candidates are denied.

Moxam said he had asked the governor to address these issues publicly so the incumbents understand the rules and stop abusing their positions in the interest of good governance.

The governor said in a direct response to Moxam, but not yet in a public forum, that he had already spoken to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson about looking into the allegations of misuse of the public service as a matter of urgency and take whatever action is required, as Roper said the civil service must also remain neutral and impartial.

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Category: Election News

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