Talk:Alan Mak (politician)

Graduate of the Year 2005

Alan Mak is listed here (and in several other sources) as Realworld Graduate of the Year 2005. However, there's no citation, and no reference to this claim that I could find before 2008. Further, there is a wiki page https://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Graduate_of_the_Year_(UK) where Alan isn't listed. The listed Graduate of the Year for 2005 is Hazel Mowbray. The link on that page doesn't work, but there's independent press that Hazel Mowbray won this award in 2005 (https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/winner-goes-on-giving/195501.article, https://www.theguardian.com/money/2005/may/07/careers.graduates), as well as an article in the November 2005 issue of the Realworld magazine (https://issuu.com/realworldmagazine/docs/_05_november). Even the runner-up Anjool Malde has an article (http://www.realworldmagazine.com/anjool-malde-graduate-of-the-year-2005-runner-up/).

I think the claim that Mak was Realworld Graduate of the Year 2005 is an exaggeration...

131.111.185.49 (talk) 09:49, 5 September 2016 (UTC)

2015 General Election

Sentences found in the first paragraph of the 2015 General Election relating to MP Mak's "parachuting in" misrepresent the source in the Spectator. The entry previously said, as of the 1034606663 edit, "Mak was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for Havant for the 2015 general election. His selection was met with considerable opposition by Tory members on the grassroots website ConservativeHome, with accusations of incompetence and his "parachuting" in, as an A-List candidate with no local connections to the safe seat.[1] The Havant Conservative Association responded to these comments by pointing out that only 20 of the 96 applicants for the shortlist were local people.[11] It is alleged that Mak has still not moved his permanent residence to Havant and remains registered to vote elsewhere."

The article sited only has one mention of negative feedback, which states, "Sadly, his selection prompted an outpouring of rage in the comment section of the ConservativeHome website, with the row spilling over into the local press." The online comment section of a website does not amount to "considerable opposition by Tory members." In every election there are negative comments on websites and unless these are from prominent individuals in the constituency, which the Spectator article does not mention, then the sentence is a misrepresentation. If any other editors find such pushback, please add it; however, the source does not currently support the claim. Therefore, it should be removed. There is, therefore, no need for the Conservative Association's response either.

As for the final sentence relating to MP Mak's permanent residence and voting registration, there is no source and it seems highly improbable that after 6 years an MP would not reside nor vote in his constituency. Again, feel free to add a source and reinsert the sentence.

— Preceding unsigned comment added by EnglandForty (talk • contribs) 12:06, 22 July 2021 (UTC)

@EnglandForty ... You appear to have a serious point of view issue ... scummering the Portsmouth News sources and calling me "Djm-lieghpark" ... ie DJM - Lie gh Park. Semi obviously I make little hiding of the fact I am associated with his constituency .... whether that makes me connected is therefore questionable. While the Spectator has whatever it has, and may or may not be relevant ... I was more interested in its piece about becoming a Whip ... though might be regarded as an opinion piece. At the time of his appointment I recall a nickname of "Mak the Knife" being noted but can't click a source to it. [[2]] isn't a direct enough link. (The article now almost has "Mak the Whip" now). I don't specifically know Mak's residence(s); and it may be an OUTING if I did. I know predecessor Willetts used to maintain a residence near my barber's (a great trainer in the art of insult); in fact I remember bantering with Willett's when I was on my way to get a forced haircut. If I remember correctly .. and I may not, Mak uses the address of the local conservative party for elections etc. Obviously spends most time up the smoke. Questionable if only re-appears for "You can call me Al" "photo opportunities"; but I may be being very very unfair there and has been known to assist constituents. But to be clear ... real concern over the manner and choice of his nomination for a "safe" Conservative Party seat at the time. Djm-leighpark (talk) 18:08, 22 July 2021 (UTC)

@Djm-leighpark My apologies for mistyping your name as 'Djm-lieghpark' and not 'Djm-leighpark.' I assure you that this was an honest mistake and typo. I do not consider you a liar and consider this whole discussion as nothing more than a differing view on edits. For this reason, I welcome (and have welcomed in my previous Talk post) the opinion of other editors to read the sources and add sources backing up the earlier claims. The spectator article was the source used for these claims and, as stated, I do not believe it supports the claims. EnglandForty (talk) 09:44, 23 July 2021 (UTC)EnglandForty

@EnglandForty: I AGF your mistype of 'Djm-lieghpark' was unintentional. However your contribution pattern gives cause for possible concern, and your contributions here also seem to me have the appearance of appreciative interpretation of non-neutral sources. In terms of your statement: "it seems highly improbable that after 6 years an MP would not reside nor vote in his constituency" to my understanding is Mak uses an address of a local Conservative Club (not I believe their office), which used to at one point be noted for a publicly bookable restaurant (I have a table their once 10+ years ago) and it is credible in my view the property could contain self contained flat available for rent .... so everything there is in order as far as I see. In passing from [3] and associated tabs/links I seem to note Mak's companies are dissolved. Thankyou. Djm-leighpark (talk) 21:52, 23 July 2021 (UTC)

The Portsmouth news source isn't working for me, does anyone have an archived link? Bellowhead678 (talk) 12:32, 23 July 2021 (UTC)

Manually doing the groundwork for Pompey News sources archives of sources we have: [4],[5],[6],[7],[8]. Djm-leighpark (talk) 21:52, 23 July 2021 (UTC)