ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog

Getting blood out of a stone

Transparency may be a buzzword used at press conferences but the Conservative Party remains stubbornly reluctant to publish data on the MEP selection process.  What has been published this morning is data for the number of spoilt ballot papers; three months after the results were first declared.  This chart appeared on conservatives.com sometime earlier today (click to enlarge):

The chart reveals that the proportion of spoilt ballot papers was 5.56%*; considerably less than we had feared but still substantial.  Similar levels of spoilt ballot papers in last year's Scottish elections produced a major enquiry and months of soul-searching.

The Party still hasn't published data on the number of ballot papers issued - presumably to hide a substantial fall in party membership.

What matters most now is that the undemocratic process that chose this round of candidates is not repeated again and the people responsible for the process are not allowed to manipulate the next round.  The Party Board were due to discuss this issue two months ago.   Hopefully the rank-and-file members might learn soon about their deliberations...

* By way of context, 52 ballot papers were spoilt/ rejected out of 34,761 votes in yesterday's Henley by-election. In the Tory selection process we're talking about 3,081 spoilt papers out of 55,389 votes.

The least accountable MEPs are also the least sceptical about the EU

We were due to have our meeting with Caroline Spelman MP today to discuss the MEP selection process but it was postponed.  We can all guess why.

Let's just remind ourselves - again - why all this matters.  The process was engineered by the party leadership to protect incumbent MEPs from any scrutiny by the grassroots. Grassroots members had the vote taken away from them.  Hustings were banned.  Other candidates were prevented from asking hostile questions of any other candidate and so on.  We are all paying the price now of that anti-democratic selection process.

We noted briefly yesterday that there is a considerable overlap between those MEPs who are most committed to the European project and those facing ethics questions.  It's not a perfect relationship but it's very much there.

Here is some related evidence on that. 

All seven of the MEPs who, in October 2005, supported the Fox/ Cameron policy of leaving the EPP have answered Open Europe's questionnaire on transparency*.

And of those thirteen who supported staying in the EPP, nine haven't answered Open Europe's questions:

1. Sir Robert Atkins MEP
2. Christopher Beazley MEP
3. John Bowis MEP
4. Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP
5. James Elles MEP
6. Malcolm Harbour MEP
7. Caroline Jackson MEP
8. John Purvis MEP
9. Struan Stevenson MEP.

* Martin Callanan MEP answered yesterday.

71% of Tory members support ConservativeHome's campaign on MEP selection

Early in April we catalogued the ways in which the party's internal selection process for MEPs was "fixed" by the party's EU enthusiasts.  We called on the party to publish full data for the election process so that members could see the level of turnout, the number of spoilt ballot papers and the level of Tory membership.  We suspended that campaign a few days later so that noone was distracted from the important local and London elections.  We carried on that suspension through the period of the Crewe and Nantwich by-election but we are now resuming it.  Up to 20% of ballot papers may have been spoilt because of the voting process that was devised to protect incumbents.  We all need to understand what went wrong so that it never happens again.

In the May survey of Tory members we asked whether we should continue to press for full disclosure and an overwhelming majority of the 1,483 who voted said 'yes':

Party Chairman Caroline Spelman has now asked to meet with us to discuss the whole issue and we'll report back straight after that meeting.

Statement from Sir Robert Atkins MEP

Yesterday we featured a News of the World story about Tory MEPs and their allegedly "greedy" use of expenses and allowances.  Sir Robert Atkins MEP was featured prominently in the NotW and we invited him to respond.  This is his reply, just emailed to us:

"My wife Dulcie was a qualified secretary when I met her in 1968.   For 30 years, during my time as an MP, Minister and MEP, she has been my full-time secretary, paid the market rate.   This has always been openly declared and well-known.

She has also been active in the community for many years, as is the case with many thousands of local councillors who give of their time, over and above their normal working environment.   Dulcie is no different, except perhaps that she works during too much of her “leisure” time!

My son worked full-time in Brussels for a period after leaving University and was paid at the same – if not slightly lower rate – as other Parliamentary assistants of his age and experience.   He was head-hunted away on a much higher salary and ceased working for me in 2004.

These employments were legally contracted and registered with the Parliamentary authorities, who have approved and audited them each year."

News of the World attacks "greedy" Tory MEPs

Both the News of the World and the Independent on Sunday spotlight MEPs today - particularly Tory MEPs - and the benefits they receive for being parliamentarians.

The top target for the News of the World is Sir Robert Atkins:

"Tory toff North West MEP Sir Robert Atkins, pictured above, has admitted paying his pensioner wife Lady Dulcie Mary Atkins, also pictured above, over £30,000 a year as his secretary. She squeezes this role in alongside her work as a busy member of Wyre Borough Council, and Garstang Town Council, as well as holding down a string of community and charitable commitments. But Sir Robert is generous with public funds—our records show that back in 2002 HIS SON James was also on the payroll at £2,513.23 a month."

Asked to explain these payments, Sir Robert Atkins told the News of the World: "It's very complicated and I don't suppose any of your readers would understand it."  We're happy to give this page to Sir Robert to provide an explanation of this use of taxpayers' money.  We'll print what he sends us in full, unedited.

Also under scrutiny from the NotW is Giles Chichester MEP, leader of the party's delegation:

"South West MEP Giles Chichester, has now admitted paying his wife Virginia up to £30,000 as a PART-TIME assistant.  He is also paying up to £30,000 of taxpayers' cash to his family firm Francis Chichester Ltd which publishes maps and guide books.  He claims that the company provides him with secretarial help."

The Sunday Times had spotlighted Mr Chichester and Den Dover MEP in March.

Today's Independent on Sunday also questions the integrity of Tory and other MEPs.  Reporter Andy Rowell lists a number of cases of MEPs taking gifts from industries they are paid to regulate.  Giles Chichester, again, and Malcolm Harbour MEP are questioned by the newspaper:

• "[Malcolm Harbour] is a leading figure in the debate on carbon dioxide and fuel efficiency in Brussels. Since 2004, Mr Harbour has been loaned 18 cars by the industry. Also courtesy of the car industry, he has attended Grand Prix races and received cross-country driving instruction.  Provided they declare any interest, MEPs are not breaking any regulations. Mr Harbour says he drives cars because he needs "to understand what is going on, and I declare it as I feel that I have nothing to hide"."
• "Giles Chichester, Tory leader in the parliament, is also president of the European Energy Forum, which promotes the interests of the oil, gas and nuclear industries. In May 2007, he was the guest of nuclear company Areva at the America's Cup race off Valencia. Mr Chichester says the trip had no bearing on his long-held pro-nuclear views."

David Cameron recently won a battle with MEPs to force them to disclose more about their pay and expenses.  But, given today's revelations, a commitment to transparency may not be enough.  Certain practices may need to be outlawed.

> News of the World video here.

We're suspending our campaign on MEP selection

For over a week we've been asking CCHQ about why the party won't publish data on the MEP selection process.  We raised the same issues with David Cameron 48 hours ago.  We still haven't heard anything back.  That's unusual.  CCHQ normally answers our queries quickly.  We noted the quality of the party's press operation on Saturday, for example.

We are not going to give up.  ConservativeHome was founded on the principle of protecting party democracy and we are going to keep going until we get answers and a review of what went wrong in this election - particularly in terms of spoilt ballot papers.

We're suspending our efforts until 2nd May, however.  We don't want to distract from our candidates' chances in the local and London elections.  Noone at CCHQ has asked us to do this.  This is our own decision but this campaign will return on 2nd May...

David Cameron promises to investigate why data on turnout and spoilt ballot papers isn't being published

ConservativeHome is just back from David Cameron's monthly press conference.  We asked about the MEP selection process and whether David Cameron would investigate CCHQ's decision not to publish turnout and spoilt ballots data.

Mr Cameron replied that he had read ConservativeHome's account of the process and would talk to Caroline Spelman about the issue of data publication and report back later today.

He defended two aspects of the selection process.  He said that it was right that MEPs became more like MPs and enjoyed a little more benefit from their incumbency than they had in the past and he also said that he wanted more women MEPs and the changes justified the long-term benefit.

What is John Maples hiding?

Still no news as to whether John Maples MP, head of candidates and returning officer, will publish more data on the MEP election process (the undemocratic nature of which we catalogued on Thursday).  It seems to us that there are three possible main explanations for this failure of transparency:

• A wish to hide poor turnout: Which may be as low as 20% if membership is stable at approximately 250,000;
• A wish to hide the extent of spoilt ballot papers: Some reports suggest 15% to 20% rates of spoiling;
• A wish to hide declining membership: On Friday we asked CCHQ to confirm or deny a new membership figure leaked to us but have not heard anything back.

What others are saying about the gerrymandered MEP selection

Yesterday we catalogued the undemocratic 'fixes' that characterised the MEP selection process.  We are grateful to other bloggers who have come to our support...

"This won’t be picked up on Fleet Street, as MEPs are such a boring business. But it raises serious questions about the Conservatives’ commitment to localism in running the country, if this is how they treat their own party members." - Fraser Nelson

"It is odd to say the Electoral Reform Society oversaw an election where candidates were not allowed to campaign, their election addresses were censored, scrutineers were not allowed at the count, the number of votes cast for each candidate was not made public, the turnout was not announced, and the number of spoilt ballot papers was kept secret. The Conservative Party often sends people abroad to teach third world political parties how to run elections. I wonder if anyone has been to North Korea recently... The battle for democracy in European selections may have been lost this time, but the war has to continue." - Iain Dale

"The Tory modernisers under Cameron have made much of their supposed commitment to devolving power from the centre and seeking to encourage a regeneration of civic society. This is hailed, by some, as the development of an alternative theory of the state and is supposed to be the philosophical centre of gravity of Cameroonism. And then when it comes to the affairs of their own party they indulge in old-fashioned stitch-ups and anti-democratic practices. What does that tell the rest of us about their instincts? Cameron will refuse and hope it goes away, but he should order an internal investigation." - Iain Martin

"ConservativeHome, which is not just the premier Right-of-Centre blog in Britain, but one of the most successful political blogs anywhere, has launched a scathing critique of the system... Not that I’m complaining: I have, after all, just won under these rules. But I do hope that, when the Conservatives come to repeat this process in five years’ time, they will apply to their own party the principles by which they aspire to govern: democracy, transparency and maximum participation. The purest way to do so would be to hold an open primary. Failing that, a postal ballot with minimal restrictions." - Dan Hannan MEP 

"Conservative Home is telling the inside story of the outrageous way in which Eurofanatics in the Conservative Party have rigged the reselection process for MEPs. The piece records how sitting MEPs escaped democratic scrutiny from the party's member. Read the whole piece and weep." - Richard North, EU Referendum

"Political parties suffer from a declining sense of connection to the public. One of the ways they can overcome that is to rebuild their membership base, reversing decades of decline, and encouraging people to join, and even put themselves forward for public office is a core part of that. If, on the other hand, a remote clique deny ordinary members that right, they perhaps shouldn't be surprised if the politically active go elsewhere to express themselves. I wish Tim Montgomerie and the ConservativeHome participants every good fortune in winning their battle for greater democracy within the Conservative Party. It isn't in anyone's interests to see the politics of the closed shop be successful, regardless of party..." - Liberal Bureaucracy

"It pains me to see the party, of which I am proud to be a member, employing selection processes that would frankly embarass a corrupt dictatorship. This should not be swept under the carpet or dismissed as 'one of those things'. Conservatives should stand up and make clear the way the selections have been handled by CCHQ is unacceptable ." - Cllr Tony Sharp

Thanks too to Jonathan Isaby, Glyn Davies, Guido Fawkes and others for linking. There were also lots of interesting and supportive comments on our post, such as:

• Richard Robinson on the benefits of open democracy
• Association Chairman points out Caroline Abel Smith's role
• John Strafford believes the Chairman should be elected
• Jules notes the lack of any refutation
• Former European Candidate outlines similar problems in the previous selection
• Dontmakemelaugh reveals an extract from The Sport of Foot Shooting

The story of how the party's EU enthusiasts fixed the MEP selection process

ConservativeHome first came to prominence when we coordinated initial efforts to oppose Michael Howard's attempts to end grassroots involvement in the election of the Conservative leader.  We blogged on the subject on an almost daily basis and coordinated the early national media effort to stop the rolling back of party democracy.  Those efforts were successful and David Cameron was eventually elected Tory leader with the full confidence of the voluntary party.  If that's where we began that's what we still believe today.  This site's manifesto includes a commitment to argue for a Conservative Party that embodies the localism and democracy that it recommends for the nation.

If we were successful in 2005 we have been comprehensively defeated in the last year.  The opponents of party democracy - or more accurately the defenders of a cadre of MEPs supportive of further integration and unrepresentative of mainstream party opinion - have ran a selection process that has protected incumbency and subverted party democracy.  They did so in clear opposition to the wishes of party members.  78% of grassroots members told ConservativeHome that all sitting MEPs should be subject to a full vote.  This brief note is a record of how sitting MEPs escaped democratic scrutiny from the party's members.  For anyone ever wanting to fix an election it includes lots of helpful tips...

FULL RECORD OF HOW AN ELECTION WAS FIXED

Grassroots members were prevented from deselecting incumbents.  The decision from which the other abuses flow was the decision to ensure that sitting MEPs could not lose their places at the top of the regional lists which determine the likelihood of being elected to the European Parliament.  Timothy Kirkhope MEP, then Leader of the Tory MEPs, and Caroline Abel Smith, responsible for European issues on the Party Board, wanted to ensure that rank-and-file members could not oust incumbent MEPs.  They feared a backlash from grassroots members who had seen many MEPs undermine the leadership's position on the EPP and who had been consistently supportive of European integration.  They knew that members would be much better informed of MEPs' voting records in this internet age and they knew that that would spell disaster for a number of MEPs' careers.  Their initial proposal to the Party Board was that individual members should have no role in reselection.  This was thwarted by Francis Maude and the MPs and elected representatives of the voluntary party that sit on the Party Board.  They guaranteed that grassroots members should rank all non-incumbent candidates but only after Regional Selection Committees had decided whether sitting MEPs should automatically be at the top of the lists.  The grassroots would be limited to ranking non-incumbents and deciding whether Sitting MEP 1 should be ranked higher than Sitting MEP 2 or 3.  The grassroots would have no powers of deselection - something that Timothy Kirkhope claimed as one of his proudest achievements when unsuccessfully restanding as MEP leader last November.  We predicted that the RSCs would rubber stamp every MEP and they did.

Female candidates won better MEP slots even though they received fewer votes.  The decision to guarantee that a woman candidate was automatically at the top of the non-incumbent list regardless of how many votes she had received reflected two things: (1) The fact that the existing MEP delegation included just one woman, Caroline Jackson, and she was retiring and (2) The Cameron's leadership's commitment to increase the representativeness of the party.  If incumbents hadn't been protected the election of more women would have been natural.  We believe that, for example, North West Tories would have preferred Jacqui Foster or Fiona Bruce to Sajjad Karim MEP, and Therese Coffey and Sarah Richardson would have been preferred to James Elles MEP in the South East.  The rigging of the system in favour of incumbents prevented this.  CCHQ felt they had to give women special treatment and we ended up with most women receiving less votes than male candidates but being given higher places on the list by the party's preferential system.

Were 20% of ballot papers in the MEP selection process spoilt?

Yesterday we highlighted the fact that most women in top MEP slots received fewer votes than male rivals.  What we don't yet have from CCHQ is data on spoilt ballots.  We hope that this information will still be forthcoming.  ConservativeHome has been told that the proportion of spoilt ballot papers may be as high as 20% in one region, 15% in another.  That would be extraordinary if true and would point to the need for a much simpler voting system next time.  The 15% and 20% figures may be very wrong but we won't know if John Maples, as returning officer, doesn't follow the route of full transparency.

Most women in top MEP slots received fewer votes than male rivals

CCHQ has just published the number of points that each MEP candidate was awarded in last week's elections.  It reveals that few women would have been awarded top slots if the preferential system had not been in place:

In London Marina Yannakoudis was awarded the highest place for non-incumbents although three men - JP Floru, Warwick Lightfoot and Bob Seely - all won more support from the grassroots.

In the South East Therese Coffey and Sarah Richardson beat all men in the voting.

In the Eastern region Vicky Ford was awarded the highest place for non-incumbents even though John Flack won more support from members.

In the East Midlands Emma McClarkin was awarded second place even though Rupert Matthews received a better vote from members.

In the West Midlands Anthea McIntyre finished ahead of all men in terms of grassroots support.

In Yorkshire and the Humber Fleur Butler was ranked ahead of Matthew Bean and Nick Burrows although they both received more support from the grassroots.

In the North East Barbara Musgrave was awarded second place although Richard Bell enjoyed more support.

In the North West Jacqueline Foster and Fiona Bruce won more support than any of the non-incumbent men in the selection.  Fiona Bruce has apparently dropped out after very narrowly finishing behind Jacqueline Foster.

In the South West Julie Girling received slightly less support than Ashley Fox but was ranked above him.

In Wales Dr Kay Swinburne was awarded top place although Evan Price won more support from the grassroots.

In Scotland Belinda Don and Helen Gardiner both beat all men in the voting.

IN CONCLUSION: Supporters of the preferential ranking for women will say that these results vindicate the system.  Without it they say far fewer women would be in positions where they could be elected as MEPs. Critics will say that candidates less respected by the grassroots have prospered and will wonder if this system has really produced the candidates best qualified to be MEPs.

We do not yet know if CCHQ will publish turnout and spoilt ballots data.

Will CCHQ publish the full results of last week's MEP selections?

John Maples MP has replied to ConservativeHome's email of Friday promising that "on Monday we will return to the issue of publishing more information."  The email was sent on Saturday, by Monday he means today.

We hope that Mr Maples, returning officer for these elections, will publish (for all regions) the kind of information that ConservativeHome has received for the South Eastern regional rankings (remembering that lower scores/ points mean a higher ranking):

1. Daniel Hannan MEP: 24,509
2. Richard Ashworth MEP: 29,567
3. Nirj Deva MEP: 35,054
4. James Elles MEP: 44,120
5. Therese Coffey: 31,274
6. Sarah Richardson: 40,515
7. Richard Robinson: ??
8. Tony Devenish: ??
9. Nina Kaariniemi: 54,295
10. Marc Brunel-Walker: 60,909

What these results show is that Therese Coffey and Sarah Richardson won the top places below that of the incumbent MEPs by winning most support of members.  They didn't get their 'top-of-the-non-MEPs-slots' by fulfilling the quotas imposed by CCHQ.

What we don't have for the South East is turnout data and number of spoilt ballot papers.  Let's hope we get that data for all regions as well today.

The full story of MEP candidate selection needs to be written...

Conservative HQ has rarely managed an election process so aggressively as it has managed this round of MEP candidate selections.

We are compiling a for-the-record list of the restrictions that CCHQ placed on the process that ended yesterday with the results of regional rankings...

The exclusion of the whole membership from vetting incumbent MEPs, restrictions on hustings, the preferential treatment of women candidates so that they have leapfrogged men who won more votes, the confusing nature of the voting process that has led to large number of ballot papers being spoilt...

Please email any observations to us so that we can produce a comprehensive record. All submissions will be treated in strictest confidence.

Comments have been disabled on this post.

Request for full transparency of MEP selection ballot

Following anecdotal reports of very high numbers of spoilt ballot papers Tim Montgomerie, Editor of ConservativeHome, has emailed John Maples MP, Returning Officer for the ballot, requesting full transparency:

"Dear John,

It was good to see you at last week's Mainstream meeting. I'm sorry we didn't get a proper chance to talk.

ConservativeHome has been publishing the rankings for MEP candidates today.

As the Returning Officer for the Elections I would be grateful if you could confirm that data for turnout and the number of spolit ballot papers will be published.  I've received reports of very high numbers of spoilt ballot papers.

Best wishes,

Tim"

We'll let you know when we get an answer.

5.30pm: Don't miss Charles Tannock MEP's comment below.

MEP selection results today

We'll be posting as they are announced - region by region as we understand it.

As well as the ranking results it will interesting to see levels of participation (turnout) and number of spoilt ballot papers - assuming CCHQ announce these.

2.10pm South East rankings:

1. Dan Hannan MEP
2. Richard Ashworth MEP
3. Nirj Deva MEP
4. James Elles MEP
5. Therese Coffey
6. Sarah Richardson
7. Richard Robinson
8. Tony Devenish
9. Nina Kaariniemi
10. Marc Brunel-Walker

2.50pm South West rankings:

1. Giles Chichester MEP
2. Julie Girling
3. Ashley Fox
4. Michael Dolley
5. Don Collier
6. Zehra Zaidi

2.50pm East Midlands rankings:

1. Roger Helmer MEP
2. Emma McClarkin
3. Rupert Matthews
4. Fiona Bulmer
5. George Lee

3pm Scotland rankings:

1. Struan Stevenson
2. Belinda Don
3. Helen Gardiner
4. Donald MacDonald
5. Gerald Michaluk
6. PJ Lewis

3.25pm West Midlands rankings:

1. Phil Bradbourn MEP
2. Malcolm Harbour MEP
3. Anthea McIntyre
4. Michael Burnett
5. Mark Spelman
6. Eveleigh Moore-Dutton
7. Dan Dalton

4.15pm Eastern rankings:

1. Geoffrey van Orden MEP
2. Robert Sturdy MEP
3. Vicky Ford
4. John Flack
5. Jonathan Morgan
6. Claire Strong
7. Claire Whelan

4.30pm Wales rankings:

1. Kay Swinburne
2. Evan Price
3. Emma Greenow
4. David Chipp

4.30pm London rankings:

1. Charles Tannock MEP
2. Syed Kamall MEP
3. Marina Yannakoudakis
4. Jean-Paul Floru
5. Warwick Lightfoot
6. Graham Postles
7. Alison Sproule
8. Ian Twinn

5.35pm North West rankings:

1. Rt Hon Sir Robert Atkins MEP
2. Den Dover MEP
3. Sajjad Karim MEP
4. Jacqueline Foster
5. Alex Williams
6. Peter Wilding
7. Gregory Morgan

5.35pm Yorkshire & Humber rankings:

1. Edward McMillan-Scott MEP
2. Timothy Kirkhope MEP
3. Fleur Butler
4. Matthew Bean
5. Nick Burrows
6. Glynis Frew

5.35pm North East rankings:

1. Martin Callanan MEP
2. Barbara Musgrave
3. Richard Bell

The MEP candidates who didn't reply to ConservativeHome's questionnaire

Most members should have recieved their ballot papers now (hopefully accompanied by details of the right candidates!). Please do remember to send them off in time.

We are grateful to those candidates that took the time to answer our questions and put themselves up for scrutiny. We've had a lot of positive feedback from members who have found them to be the only way they were able to judge candidates aside from the bland template sheets sent out with ballots.

For your information, the candidates we weren't able to get answers from were:

West Midlands: Mike Burnett and Mark Spelman.

North West: Jacqui Foster and Simon Baker.

North East: Sebastian A Leslie, Richard Bell, Barbara Musgrave and Gary Richardson.

Candidates in Scotland were only sent the questions towards the end of last week, and we still haven't been able to send them to those in Yorkshire.

Restanding MEPs who failed to supply answers:

• Philip Bradbourn
• Giles Chichester
• Den Dover
• James Elles
• Malcolm Harbour
• Sajjad Karim
• Timothy Kirkhope
• Edward McMillan-Scott
• Robert Sturdy
• Philip Bushill-Matthews (retiring)

We'll be providing a pdf of all the answers later for you to download and email around.

North East candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP? 

Emma Moore: I'm in my late twenties, and am fed up with people saying that younger people aren't interested in politics.  I have spent so much time shouting at the television over the stupid things that we put up with from Europe and Labour, I have decided to try and do something about it.  This is not something I take lightly.  Although I am a District Councillor, I do not profess to know everything about how the 'system' works, and I would hope that actually some people would find this refreshing.  I will always be honest in my opinion, but practical in my response.

Barbara Musgrave: I will fight to make the EU transparent, open and accountable. It needs demystifying. People have a right to know and say how their money is spent and to suffer less regulation. My job and party political background mean that I have the skills to fight for this and if I am elected the second MEP represent the North East robustly. 

Should the UK withhold its contributions until the EU's budget is successfully audited?

Should the UK withhold its contributions to the EU budget until the European Court of auditors gives unqualified approval to the accounts?

Richard Ashworth MEP (SE): Bringing an end to this intolerable situation has been my number one priority since I was elected in 2004, and it will continue to be my priority in the next Parliament. Conservative MEPs have always voted against the discharge (sign-off) of EU accounts and I am happy to see the Dutch government is finally following our lead.

Dan Hannan MEP (SE):  Yes

Richard Robinson (SE): Yes. If the accounts have not received a Positive Statement of Assurance by the end of this Parliament, we must get tough with the European Commission on their failure to account for expenditure.

Therese Coffey (SE):  No need for this nuclear option. Instead, the UK government should vote against the accounts at the Council of Ministers along with the Netherlands – it could find more allies if they had the courage. In addition, the UK government should stop or limit funds being issued to those programmes and countries where there are audit problems. As a finance director, I know that you don’t pour cash down an open drain and hope to get a different result or keep your job.

Marc Brunel-Walker (SE): No. Whilst the popular option would be to threaten to withhold or indeed actually withhold – If we did and other countries followed suit the implications on budgeting would be enormous.  The best way forward would be for the UK Govt to follow the Dutch example and vote against signing off the EU Accounts in Council – and continuing to campaign for better financial controls within the EU to prevent this situation happening again!

Tony Devenish (SE):  The best way forward would be for the British Government to follow the Dutch example and vote against signing off the EU accounts in Council. 

Sarah Richardson (SE): This is our money, as tax payers, and it is our right to know how it is being spent. Conservative MEPs have led the charge on this issue and opposed the approval of these un-signed off accounts. I would do the same.

Should incumbent MEPs be ranked by members?

Do you think EVERY Tory member in your region should be able to rank ALL MEP candidates at the next European elections?

Richard Ashworth MEP (SE): The current system was devised by the Board for this selection only. Once the election is over, no doubt the Board will reflect on, and review its operation with a view to deciding which system to use in future selection processes.

Dan Hannan MEP (SE): Yes

Niina Kaariniemi (SE): Definitely

Richard Robinson (SE): Yes

Therese Coffey (SE): Yes, I would support the Board moving to that selection process for next time.

Marc Brunel-Walker (SE): I am content with the Selection Rules established by the Board of the Conservative Party

Tony Devenish (SE): Like all the Candidates I knew what the rules were before I applied and I am content to adher to what the South East area Association delegates agreed. Anyway how could anyone object to incumbent MEP's such as Dan now expelled from the federalist EPP!

Sarah Richardson (SE): I would be happy for the rules to be changed to allow that for the next selection.

Should a Conservative government hold a retrospective referendum?

If the European Constitution (the Lisbon Treaty) should have received Royal Assent and been adopted by the other 26 member states BEFORE the election of a Conservative Government, should the Conservative Party hold a retrospective referendum on the text?

Richard Ashworth MEP (SE): I think we should continue to pressure the government to honour its promise to hold a referendum. We should fight the next election on a manifesto pledge to make the European Union more relevant to our aspirations and needs - and, of course, that will mean bringing some powers back to the nation state and holding a referendum on any new transfer of powers to the EU.

Dan Hannan MEP (SE): Yes

Niina Kaariniemi (SE): Yes

Richard Robinson (SE): No. A Conservative Government should immediately open negotiations on our relationship with the EU and the resulting agreement should be put to a referendum.

Therese Coffey (SE):  The Conservative Party should not and will not "let it rest there", to quote David Cameron and William Hague. A referendum on David Cameron’s new proposals for Europe may be more appropriate than a retrospective referendum but our focus should be 100% on securing the referendum on the Constitution now. I believe the results on the "I Want a Referendum" ballots in every region will reinforce the pressure on Brown to hold to his manifesto pledge.

Marc Brunel-Walker (SE):  If we do not succeed forcing a referendum in the Commons; if we fail to win in the Lords; if all other EU member states ratify the Treaty; and if an election is held later in this Parliament after the Lisbon Treaty has come into force we would be faced with the unacceptable situation of further integration having taken place without people being properly consulted.

Tony Devenish (SE): May I stress our European Campaign should be a united campaign dedicated to acting as a springboard for the defeat of Gordon Brown.

Sarah Richardson (SE): In reality, the Treaty would then have been enforced and we would have to go to Brussels and fight for powers back. This will be hard, but Mrs Thatcher showed that it can be done.  I would support a retrospective referendum to give us a mandate to do this.

Should Turkey join the EU?

Are you in favour of Turkey joining the EU?

Richard Ashworth MEP (SE): I am in favour of their membership provided it's a different kind of Turkey entering a different kind of EU.

Dan Hannan MEP (SE): I am in favour of Turkey being allowed to join; if I were Turkish, I would have severe doubts about the benefits.

Niina Kaariniemi (SE): Turkey need to meet the EU criteria before being invited to join. Currently they do not meet the criteria and therefore my answer is NO. We must not repeat the mistake we made by letting some of the Eastern European members joined before meeting EU standards.

Richard Robinson (SE): No. 72 million Turks have an average income about one seventh of that in Western Europe. Turkish membership of the EU would lead to unsustainable migration.

Therese Coffey (SE): Personally, Turkey feels a country and culture too far, however I recognise that the Party has long advocated membership of the EU for Turkey upon fulfilment of specified criteria and the UK should have Turkey as an ally. Indeed, the European Council of Ministers and Commission have led Turkey on with various carrots – it would be dishonest and dishonourable to backtrack due to certain European leaders trying to gain domestic political capital.

Marc Brunel-Walker (SE): I support the Conservative Party’s policy to support Turkey’s membership of the EU only when they meet in full the criteria.

Tony Devenish (SE): Our Party's position is clear to support membership when Turkey meets in full the relevant criteria.

Nirj Deva MEP (SE): Yes, subject to the country satisfying all its promises with regards to human rights and democratic reform.

Sarah Richardson (SE): I’m not confident that the EU could manage the free movement of people from Iraq to Ireland. In principle, I am in favour of Turkey joining but there are many issues to be resolved, including its human rights record. We should also develop a strategy for full membership for other countries, like Croatia, for example.

Would you sit as an independent outside the EPP?

This is the first of five policy questions we have asked MEP candidates, including incumbent MEPs. The EPP Declaration many refer to is here.

If we are unable to find enough other MEPs to form a new group, would you sit as an independent outside the EPP?

Richard Ashworth MEP (SE): That decision must be made by William Hague and David Cameron and our job as MEPs is to deliver their wishes.  I have signed the Party's pledge*.

Dan Hannan MEP (SE): Yes

Niina Kaariniemi (SE): Yes

Richard Robinson (SE): Yes

Therese Coffey (SE): We will be able to find enough other MEPs to form a new group. I will sit in the group that David Cameron signs us up to and he has already declared we will not be part of the EPP.

Marc Brunel-Walker (SE): If I am elected, I will respect the agreement made by David Cameron and Mirek Topolanek in July 2006*.

Tony Devenish (SE): My answer is as per the pledge all Candidates signed*.

Nirj Deva MEP (SE): Yes.  Since my election to the European Parliament in 1999, I have consistently supported any efforts to withdraw the Conservative Party from the EPP and strongly support efforts to form a new alliance with our free-market, Atlanticist allies (mainly in Eastern Europe).

Sarah Richardson (SE): Why are these questions always so defeatist? We should leave the EPP and launch a new group. Around 50% of Europeans were against the EU Constitution yet these views are not represented by the main groups in the European Parliament. That has to change and we can start it.

West Midlands MEP candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP?

Eveleigh Moore-Dutton: My upbringing in Southern Africa means that I see this country not as a minor province of a European super-state but as a positive, dynamic force at the centre of a world-wide network of trade, cultural and historic ties. It is a view that is too often lacking in the European parliament.

Anthea McIntyre: I bring a combination of business success and political experience.  I have the ability and determination to stand up for the interests of the people of the West Midlands and to represent them effectively in Brussels.  Having run a very successful business for sixteen years in this region and seen the stranglehold of red tape on enterprise, I will work to roll back the legislation continually foisted on us from Europe.

Dan Dalton: Life experience outside of politics from professional cricket, sports development, small business and work with young people. An understanding of the needs of younger generations. Significant experience of the European Parliament and how it works. A commitment to stand up for my country, region and Conservative Party principles.

East Midlands MEP candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP?

Rupert Matthews: I have a proven track record as a political campaigner and will bring these talents to bear on the European campaign. As a professional historian I bring a wider view to the EU issue. For the past 8 years I have worked closely with Chris Heaton-Harris and with Roger Helmer. I have seen how the European Parliament works on a daily basis, and how the European Union functions. And what is wrong with both. See my website for more details.

George Lee: I bring a blend of practical business experience, political acumen and a strong sense of being British. Running an internationally active business for 11 years I have lived the EU’s negative impact on regulation, its restrictions on free trade and the individual. I have been a Conservative on the political ‘front line’ for over 20 years and will fight solely for UK interests.

Fiona Bulmer: Having effective Eurosceptic representation in Europe has never been more important. I believe my range of experience both in politics and at a senior level in the business world mean I could make a difference by holding the EU institutions to account and campaigning for a new direction in Europe.

Emma McClarkin: Principles, not posturing. Doing what I say I will in Brussels in fighting for a better deal for Britain.

South West MEP candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP?

Julie Girling: I have the experience to do the job properly from senior management jobs in Argos, Dixons and Boots, time in the Far East, running a small company and winning elections at District and County level. My fellow Gloucestershire Conservatives chose me as District Council Leader then County Cabinet Portfolio Holder. If you ask them they’ll tell you I work unstintingly, I get things done, I deliver for my voters.

Ashley Fox: I've worked for our Party since 1985, in good times and bad.  I am an experienced campaigner and will stand up for Britain's interests at all times.  I am determined to oppose the Lisbon treaty, even if it is ratified.  I shall expose fraud in the EU and will not to go native.

Mike Dolley: I would bring an absolute passion to stand up for British interests and a determination to campaign on issues that matter to the South West. I would bring a resolve to bury once and for all the grand designs of Common Foreign and Defence policies. I would also bring a wealth of political experience and an in depth knowledge of the region as a whole (including Gibraltar!).

Don Collier: I have a wide range of business and political experience which I believe suits the roll well.  I don’t believe in a Federal United States of Europe. I do believe in free trade and free competition in the EU and individual sovereign states. I believe in Democracy, Accountability and Transparency. I will stand up for what I believe in and I will fight for  the South West, England and the UK.

Zehra Zaidi: I have the energy, commitment and expertise to give the South West a strong voice in Europe.  I have been involved in European policy/legal issues for 15 years and I have always been against the federal project.  I hope to use my experience in legal and economic reform work to push for greater transparency and accountability, to claw back powers to member states and shift the EU’s focus to trade and global poverty, and to engage the public on issues through local campaigning and community activism. I want to use my truly international background and passion for foreign affairs to defend British interests, particularly in tackling extremism.

North West MEP candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP?

Fiona Bruce: I would work hard to connect with voters in the North West so that they know me by name as their MEP candidate, and if elected, as their MEP. I would fight for a reduction in EU regulations which burden British business, better value and accountability for taxpayers’ money spent by the EU, a fairer share of EU funds for North West areas and a better deal for our rural communities.  I have evidenced from the way in which I have worked over the past twenty five years that I am committed to making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Alexander Williams: As an MEP, I would seek a far better deal for the taxpayers of the North-West - it’s a disgrace that only £4 out of every £10 that we give to the EU is spent in the UK. Too much of our taxpayers money is wasted and too many of our law making powers have been signed away – I will fight to get them back

Peter Wilding: I was born and brought up in the area, I have 25 years campaigning experience, stood for Parliament, specialised in European law as a solicitor and am now head of the party's media operation in Brussels.

Welsh MEP candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP?  

Emma Greenow: Should I be elected as the Member of the European Parliament for Wales I will demand that Europe works for Wales. I will bring direct European experience in representing Wales in Europe, but I also an understanding from my current role of the burden felt by business from EU overregulation. I have determination for change and dedication to the party.

Evan Price: Using my expertise and learning from and listening to others with knowledge and expertise, I will bring fresh eyes and a practical approach to laws and regulations, concentrating on simplification and an open and accountable Parliament.  If elected, I will be a Welsh Conservative member of the Parliament.  You can read more about me at my website.

Kay Swinburne: I have extensive international business, finance & healthcare experience and will be a strong ambassador for Wales. I'm a Conservative Councillor serving as Chair Health Scrutiny for an area with high Welsh users, Town Mayor, former Deputy Chair NHCA, experienced political campaigner & community activist. I have advised governments and multinationals in negotiations and transactions in many Western, Central & Eastern European countries.

Karen Robson: I believe Wales needs a strong voice in Brussels and Brussels needs a good dose of common sense from Wales!  I’ve been a voice in Wales for disadvantaged people for many years and want to use my varied transferable skills and experience on behalf of Wales, as I did in the Assembly Elections.  For Welsh Conservatives, Europe means business—not red tape! I will bring a fresh perspective to the role and passionately defend our national interests. I have a proven track record of achieving meaningful change and see my move into the political arena as an extension of my previous work for communities in Wales.

London MEP candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP?

Warwick Lightfoot: I am a Eurosceptic City economist. As a former Special Adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Employment I understand the economic and social challenges we face. I will work to protect London’s jobs and financial services from ill-conceived European regulation that would damage London.

Bob Seely: I want the EU to be a trading union of nations. Above that our MEPs should campaign to return power to the UK Parliament; we need to strengthen democracy, freedom and accountability, not weaken them. As your MEP I will lead an honest audit on the value of the EU to Britain, so that we, the people, can judge what level of EU membership is our best interests. I never support the Euro.

Alison Sproule: I will bring a fresh, effective approach to Europe.  Using my negotiating and communication skills which have been so potent in my strategy role at Macmillan Cancer Support, I will establish efficiencies through creating a clear understanding of issues and use this to negotiate the best possible outcome for Londoners.

Jean-Paul Floru: We have let the European superstate grow for far too long and must reverse the process.  I will insist on a clear election programme which demands drastic reform of the EU within strict time limits. I will never agree to a transfer of powers or to a tax increase. I will fight for the low regulation regime through which London flourishes. I will not go native: I did not move to Britain 14 years ago in order to see it become what I fled from.

Marina Yannakoudakis: I bring negotiating skills gained as the financial director of a company working with the Europeans. Additionally a business understanding of the challenges faced by London businesses from countless EU directives. I bring a strong solid political background as a London Borough councillor. A Euro sceptic approach to defend our sovereignty.

Graham Postles: I am an experienced political campaigner and a senior manager with an insight into the challenges of creating a free trade EU gained setting up a multi-member European network. I will fight to reduce EU interference, to repatriate powers to the UK and to further the economic interests of Londoners. I believe the EU needs to stop looking at structure, form and ever more intervention and instead follow a new, outward looking agenda, focusing on the challenges where multinational cooperation make sense - globalisation, the environment and tackling global poverty.

Eastern Area MEP candidates

What would you bring to the role of MEP?

John Flack: I am a successful businessman as well as having stood for the Euro Parliament twice before. I will speak up for the Eastern Counties with common sense based on traditional Conservative principles. I seek to work with fellow Conservatives to halt and then reverse progress to a single European super-state. If elected I will be a full time MEP promoting the interests of the Eastern Counties. I will be on your side not Brussels'. (Photo is John at yesterday's IWAR lobby explaining to an OAP why we need a referendum).

Jonathan Morgan: I'm a businessman, leading one of the Region's largest professional firms, managing about £2bn of contracts - as such I'm able to bring an astute understanding of what Brussels' bureaucracy means to real businesses in the Eastern Region, and the effect it has on job and wealth creation.

Vicky Ford: I will bring exceptional energy to the role. I offer experience of international finance and business at the highest level as well as local political experience. I am committed to combating fraud, putting the East of England and Britain first, getting a fair deal for our money – I won’t forget small businesses, mums at the school gate or our farmers.  Please visit my website for more information.

Clare Whelan: I have a great deal of political and practical experience as a leading councillor, former magistrate, and director of a political pressure group.  I am used to working at local, national and European level and with multi-million pound budgets. However big the figures though I always think about how proposals impact real people.   My particular area of interest is the environment.  I am a fan of smaller government and will push for less bureaucracy and red tape and stand up for the interests of the Eastern area.

Claire Strong: Experience - from my successful business career in the IT industry combined with 13 years in local government. I am a hard working campaigner and team player with plenty of energy and used to speaking up for the community I currently serve. As an MEP I would do the same. I will campaign for a EU that is reformed to do less and be more accountable.