Since winning the Blackpool South seat for the Conservatives in the 2019 General Election, Mr Benton hasn’t been reluctant to offer his opinions on a wide range of issues, many of them controversial.
He had had an especially busy spell since the turn of the year, as a host of matters hit the agenda.
Along with news of his activities in the Commons and out and about locally (such as “I'm continuing to push to bring passenger flights back to Blackpool Airport and use the airport to boost Blackpool's economy” and “We’ve visited over 900 houses this week. Thanks to those who stopped for a chat”), he has offered praise and encouragement on subjects ranging from The Silver Swans ballet academy (“Amazing group of ladies and a great way to keep active. They have sessions every week and cater to all abilities (even me!)”.to England football captain Harry Kane on his record-breaking goal achievement for his club Tottenham (Absolutely brilliant @HKane What a model professional and servant to our club. The greatest of all time).
But Mr Benton has been quick to weigh in with his often cutting thoughts on a whole range of topical issues as they have arisen. Here are just some of them.
1. Prince Harry
Mr Benton wasn't shy in coming forward regarding the controversy surrounding Prince Harry's memoir, Spare: "Hope all good booksellers are sticking this in the fantasy section where it belongs," he wrote. Photo: submit
2. 20mph zones
In reply to a suggestion that 20mph be the default speed limit in built-up areas, Mr Benton tweeted: "Completely ridiculous if true. 20mph zones are widely ignored as they don’t have public support, rarely enforced, and there’s no evidence that they achieve a reduction in casualties as the @transportgovuk recently confirmed". Photo: submit
3. Lancahire Police over the PM's no seatbelt fine
. In reply to a news tweet that Lancashire POlice were looking into video footgae tha t PM Rishin Sunak was not wearing a seat belt on a journey throughBlackpool, Mr Benton tweeted: "@LancsPolice do an amazing job, but I’m sure their time is better spent investigating serious crime which impacts on my constituents. The vast majority of people would think that politically motivated complaints about about a seat belt are not good use of frontline resources". https://twitter.com/ScottBentonMP/status/1616355992224124931?s=20&t=G2wyPlGcf8pnQZlQjVz_wg Photo: submit
4. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell
On former shadow chancellor John McDonnell being invited to Blackpool by a prospective Labour candidate: "Appalling judgement by @ChrisPWebb He should apologise to the women of Blackpool for bringing this MP here". Photo: submit
5. Jacinta Ardern
On Jacinta Ardern following the reaction to her decision to step down as New Zealand's Prime Minister: "Seeing the left fawning over Ardern is quite something. Plummeting poll ratings and a tanking economy, not helped by some of the most authoritarian Covid restrictions in the world, and now she decides to bail. Oh, but don’t forget her ‘compassion’ 🙄" Photo: submit
6. submit
Mr Benton tweeted of the former House of Commons Speaker John Bercow: "Bercow still suffering from Brexit Derangement Syndrome. Not like Boris got the biggest Tory majority in 30 years, led the world on supporting Ukraine and got us through the pandemic or anything.".🧐🤷♂️ https://twitter.com/ScottBentonMP/status/1614633797101707264?s=20&t=XpWECvupjEaDj5dJH1VXdg Photo: John Bercow