Googly-eyed cabbage replaces Paul Burstow (From Your Local Guardian)

Googly-eyed cabbage replaces Sutton and Cheam MP at meeting

8:00am Tuesday 26th June 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

A googly-eyed cabbage replaced the MP for Sutton and Cheam at a meeting last week.

Care minister, Paul Burstow, was scheduled to address the National Pensioners Convention at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Thursday, June 21.

When Mr Burstow cancelled his appearance the pensioners replaced him with the large green vegetable.

However, Mr Burstow had to reschedule after the Labour Party called a Parliamentary debate on social care at short notice.

Mr Burstow said: "I was disappointed to have to cancel my attendance at the Pensions Parliament.

"As explained to the National Pensioner’s Convention, ministers are first and foremost accountable to Parliament, and I had to respond to a Parliamentary debate.

"I am passionate about the need to improve the care of older people.

"I have already supported the National Pensioner’s Convention dignity code and from October the Government is implementing a ban on age discrimination to root out ageist attitudes in health and social care."