'Arrogant' Burley criticised for talking of 'rude' constituents

The Conservative MP for Cannock Chase has left Parliament after just one term following heavy criticism over his attendance at a stag party in the French Alps in 2011, where the groom wore a Nazi uniform.

His parting words saw him praise his wife Jodie for handling the 'rudest' constituents and complain about media intrusion as well as the £67,000 a year salary.

Opponents seized on the remarks to brand the 36-year-old Birmingham-born MP out of touch.

Janos Toth, Labour's candidate for Cannock Chase, said: "It's an attack on the local residents of Cannock Chase that he is there to serve.

"They are the boss.

"And how he can complain about the salary is beyond me. It is far higher than the average wage of the people he represents.

"Aidan Burley is an extreme character. He has displayed total arrogance here.

"The reason he is going is because of his own behaviour."

The MP apologised for his role in the controversial Nazi fancy dress stunt following an internal Conservative investigation in which he was branded 'stupid and offensive' by his own party – but was not deemed racist or anti-Semitic.

He announced more than a year ago that he would not be attempting to hold the seat at the General Election and would step aside for a new candidate. The Tories selected businesswoman Amanda Milling.

Mr Burley has also previously had a very public spat with Councillor Paul Snape, leader of the Conservative group on Cannock Chase District Council, whom Mr Burley accused of creating a 'toxic atmosphere'.

Mr Snape, however, speaking to the Express & Star while out delivering leaflets to support Miss Milling, had warm words for Mr Burley.

"I don't want to comment on what he's said in the Commons," he said.

"He's standing down and he's been a hardworking MP. I thank him for his time in Cannock Chase.

"He's moving on and we're moving on. We want to see Amanda elected and we're going to all work to do everything we can to see that happen."

UKIP candidate Grahame Wiggin has written off the Conservative campaign.

He said: "Aidan Burley did not criticise every constituent. But he made an unfortunate choice of words that will not have helped the Conservatives.

"The Tories will not be sending their candidate to Parliament."

Mr Burley used his speech to thank family members including his mother Lois, who founded a Birmingham based public relations agency, for helping with his 2010 election campaign. The result was a shock as it provided the biggest swing from Labour to the Tories of anywhere in the country. Mr Burley wiped out a comfortable Labour majority of 9,227 and was elected with a majority of 3,195 votes.

He said: "I thank my wife Jodie, who has worked for more than four years as the manager of my constituency office, the MP Help Zone. Dealing with some of the most complex cases and often the rudest and most awkward constituents, she has maintained a quiet dignity and poise that few could match. Our wonderful wedding in the Crypt last August was the highlight of my time here—a truly magnificent venue and a day we will never forget.

"Being an MP has been an incredible journey—a rollercoaster, really—with some huge highs as well as a few lows, but with the good more than cancelling out the bad.

"Being an MP has been a tremendous privilege, with some unique experiences and the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of constituents. In what other job could someone save a hospital, electrify a train line or run a series of jobs fairs to help people back into work? We are rightly proud of all those achievements in Cannock.

"Being an MP also comes at a great cost, including being away from home four nights a week, working very long hours, often for lower pay than before, and with constant, unwanted and unwarranted media intrusion into every aspect of ours and our families' lives. It is a price that was once worth paying, but for me that time has now passed and I look forward to new challenges, greater freedoms and a life outside this mad house."