DEVO DIARY: Going good

What do training a Grand National winner and handing out leaflets have in common? That’s correct, nothing at all. Unless you’re a Liverpool politician standing for election and happen to find yourself in possession simultaneously of a Twitter account, a Grand National winning trainer and a campaign team to thank.

“Peter Scudamore claims his Grand National win was due to massive team effort. This weekend’s #labourdoorstep equally impressive. Thanks,” emoted the Liverpool Walton MP during a busy weekend handing out more than 5,000 leaflets, while also popping into the hospitality tents of the National by the looks of it.

Presumably Rotheram knows it was not Scudamore who trained winning horse One For Arthur, but his wife Lucinda Russell, who became the fourth woman trainer of a Grand National winner. Did she do a better job of avoiding the Labour candidate than her husband and disappear elsewhere at the time, or did Rotheram decide Scudamore was more famous?

The furious rate of hustings is catching up with the candidates, and stand-ins are starting to appear in their place. Jane Brophy had Stockport councillor Iain Roberts take her place at an event by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Centre for Cities last Wednesday. There was also a stand-in for Sean Anstee at a hustings by GM Coalition of Disabled People held on Saturday. At least Anstee’s excuse was a cracker: “I was with my wonderful Mum at her wedding. We have all sent a stand in at one point during the hustings schedule.” Thanks mum, great timing.