Bernard Jenkin MP

Bernard Jenkin, Deputy Tory Chairman for candidates, answers your questions.

Anonymous: "As more men have applied to the Priority List than women, it is therefore harder for men to get onto the List because of the pre-set gender quota of 50% men, 50% women.  Do you believe the Conservatives are sexually discriminating against male applicants, and if so, do you believe this is right?"

BJ: “One of our top priorities is to encourage more women to stand so that we get more women MPs.  We need to create a party that can better represent modern Britain and therefore operate more effectively in Opposition and ultimately in Government.  It needs to be more diverse and outward looking if we are to achieve this.  The fact is that women made up some 25 per cent of the list at the last election, but only made up 12 per cent of the new intake.  These measures are to correct this lack of balance and are therefore politically and morally right.

Forgive me for labouring the key point.  We are simply not doing our job as a political party while over 90 per cent of our Parliamentary representation is male.  Do we men think this represents a 90 per cent monopoly of the talent?    More than half the population is female.

We've got to attract more women (and black and minority ethnics) into Parliament simply because it's the right thing to do - to make sure the party includes people from all backgrounds so it can better represent all of Britain.”

Hmmmm: "Will Mr Jenkin show his confidence in the new selection process and submit himself for competitive reselection in his seat under the new rules?" and "Does he think that the drive towards more women and ethnic candidates and indeed improving the quality overall of MPs would be helped by all MPs facing competitive reselection?"

BJ: “The question of my reselection is a matter for my Constituency Association and is set down in the Rules of the Conservative Party.  I do not think that the deselection of MPs should be a matter taken over by the Party Board or CCHQ.  David Cameron stressed the importance of the autonomy of local parties when he first set out his proposals on candidates.”

Alex: "The Lib Dems have a reputation for being the young persons party despite CF being the largest youth wing of any political party. Will CCHQ challenge this by allowing very young candidates to run for parliament? For example Jo Swinson was 21/22 when she first run for parliament."

BJ: “We have no age bar.  I have interviewed some potential candidates who are very young and very often they have a great deal to offer a prospective Constituency.”

Simon C: "The CCHQ selection guidelines don't lay down any procedures for primaries, should associations choose that route. When will those guidelines be published, and can he give any ideas about what they might contain?"

BJ: “The CCHQ guidelines have been approved by the Board and are available on the Party intranet.  The procedures on primaries are likely to continue to evolve in the light of experience and we are open to positive suggestions.”

Andrew Woodman: "Does BJ consider the diversity of background and dare I say class of candidates is as important as getting more women, ethnic minority ect candidates, and will the priority list have a good mix of Southern and Northern candidates? I for instance, live in a marginal midlands seat where a local candidate could add on those extra votes which define whether it tips over to Tory."

BJ:  “We certainly are aiming to achieve what Andrew suggests.”

Cllr Matt Wright, North Wales Area Chairman: "I am concerned that the system is not innovative enough. I voted for Cameron to get change and I ask Bernard if he would support a concept of "Mentor & Measure" ie a process of on the job, real life support and assessment by AMEs and Associations. My feeling with these centralised CCO systems is that we are going to get people who are good at doing tests not good at being MPs. Many good local geniune people from different backgrounds who could reach out to ordinary people will find all this daunting. We risk replacing one set of elitists with another. Also I think it will not help women which is one of the aims. To help women and those from diverse backgrounds we need the sort of approach I describe."

BJ:  “We are certainly seeking to expand mentoring significantly – both mentoring of people from diverse backgrounds who are applying for the list, and of candidates once they are selected.  I fully agree that we need this approach.”
 
Derek: "Do you not agree that candidates should be selected as early as possible in all seats? In which case why not allow the least winnable seats to select their candidate now, as they will not attract those on the Priority List, and may have a local candidate who could start campaigning straight away?"

BJ:  “The target and winnable seats are the strategic priority, so we will be concentrating on them.”

Simon C also requested your comments on this: "On the thread which discussed the guidelines, I made the following point & would welcome his thoughts: Making a good speech should not be the decisive factor, but it should certainly be a factor that is taken into account. Any politician needs to know how to make an effective and entertaining speech that will engage their audience.  The Priority List competences that CCHQ is assessing in its selection process include: campaigning; communication; leading & motivating.  Speech-making is integral to all of those. Local activists respond well to an inspirational speech. It's a key motivational & leadership tool.  As a candidate in 2001 I received countless speaking invitations to local groups & associations (eg. pensioners, charities, business groups, schools, residents....). Yes, I answered lots of questions as well, but the first impression they had of me was the speech that they had asked me to give. And if word gets out that you can give a good speech, you get more invitations.  A good speech isn't always a barn-storming tub-thumping special. Indeed, that would go down poorly in many of the situations I mention.  As others have said, it does give the candidate the opportunity to get across, even if only in 5 minutes, any message that s/he wants to.  I would allow a short speech in (5 mins?), but leave the bulk of the time for questions - that should achieve the right balance."

BJ: “The PAB includes a speaking test – and so it should – but it is not the only test of a good candidate and a good MP, which is what it tended to become under the old procedures.  We test candidates for all-round abilities and competencies.  Any decent candidate should be able to acquire the skills to speak well in public.”

Tim Montgomerie: "Thank you Bernard for taking our questions again. When you last agreed to be interviewed for ConservativeHome.com we asked you about Robert Halfon's idea of bursaries for low income candidates.  You said "This is an idea under consideration."  Can you give us any update?"

BJ:  “As we try to attract a broader range of candidates, I become more and more preoccupied by the importance of this issue.  I have some ‘irons in the fire’ but nothing formal to report yet.  I would urge any candidate or potential candidate faced with financial hardship to draw this to our attention, and we will see what we can do to help.

Thank you Conservative Home."

Comments

[Edward]

I feel rather sorry for him being lumbered with this.

[Chris]

Ironic that Bernard 'nice but dim' Jenkin has got the job of trying to recruit smarter candidates!

[James Maskell]

"The question of my reselection is a matter for my Constituency Association and is set down in the Rules of the Conservative Party"

I translate that to mean...no. Im pretty sure Cameron has announced that some constituencies will have to choose between ones on the Priority List. So he can have it both ways.

[Editor]

Let's not get personal please, Chris.

[Chris Palmer]

He answered the questions well I thought.

[Clare Lewis]

I like Bernard Jenkin. He was the best Defence spokesman we have had in opposition and unfortunately his career seemed to lose momentum when IDS fell. It is a shame that people of his quality are behind overrated individuals like Osborne and Villeirs. The candidates list is supposed to be about meritocratic choice of candidates yet the Shadow Cabinet is chosen on who are DC's pals - consistency: i think not!

[Michael McGowan]

Editor, there is a real point here: blatant double standards applied by those with a vested interest in holding onto the spoils of office. Those who are already inside the gilded Westminster tent (and who definitely do not represent the "modern Britain" to which Francis Maude claims to aspire) get to haul up the drawbridge while blighting the career chances of promising candidates because of "deficiencies" such as chromosome-mix and skin pigmentation (about which candidates can do nothing).

[MattSimpson]

The fairest way to deal with candidate selection issues is to make each MP reapply for their seat each election instead of being nodded through.

As well as allowing new candidates the chance to apply for safe seats it could also prevent us losing seats because the incumbant MP is so out-of-touch.

[James Maskell]

Considering that there arent enough female candidates appearing, gender bias is coming into this. Its positive discrimination in reverse which cannot be advocated by a progressive Conservative Party.

[James M]

I do not deny that the Conservative Party need a broader range of candidates - but can anyone actually explain to me why a man could not represent a woman voter effectively?

Yes, there might well be some bad male MPs, but there are likely to be bad female MPs etc. I just do not understand why some people tend to think that men cannot represent effectively any group other than themselves.

In conclusion it seems there are many other things that could be done which are just as important in improving the way we are governed - improving the quality of MP, strengthening Parliament etc as well as trying to create some carbon copy spread of MP backgrounds.

[a-tracy]

Are you married or courting James M? If so do one of these political spectrum questionnaires answering for your partner as you believe she would answer, then ask her to do it. If you can do this accurately then you've answered your own question.

[Yet Another Anon]

>>>>Ironic that Bernard 'nice but dim' Jenkin has got the job of trying to recruit smarter candidates!<<<<
Doesn't strike me as dim, he's a man of few words mostly but this just amounts to him being concise and not being someone who goes in for cliches.

[Alexander Drake]

...can anyone actually explain to me why a man could not represent a woman voter effectively?

I don't think anyone's saying that male MPs can't be effective representatives. I think the idea behind selecting more female candidates is to address the fact that some female voters will choose female candidates to vote for, regardless of their party. It's simply another tactic to maximise the Conservative share of the vote where possible. Hard luck for us males but there you are, no point arguing with electoral behaviour.

[buxtehude]

This comment is spot-on:

"Those who are already inside the gilded Westminster tent (and who definitely do not represent the "modern Britain" to which Francis Maude claims to aspire) get to haul up the drawbridge while blighting the career chances of promising candidates because of "deficiencies" such as chromosome-mix and skin pigmentation (about which candidates can do nothing)."

Cameron is a true insider and establishment figure, surrounding himself only with his pals. It's why he can't really get to grips with broadening the party through direct appeal to voters, but instead must rely in bureaucratic instruments such as quotas.

[Chris]

"Don't get personal."
OK, so the personal qualities of senior party officers are irrelevant?

[Cllr catherine Fisher]

Well all this sounds great in theory. But what also needs looking at is the admin side. I am female, 38, married with no skeletons, a solicitor and a local councillor - and my phone calls and emails enquiring about getting on the candidates' list haven't even been met with a 'sorry, no thanks' - just a deafening silence. Dave definately isn't calling me. How many other candidates are being ignored?

[Hmmmm]

Nice to see a politician side stepping a question in the old fashioned way. BJ avoided the issue completely. If this process is good enough for existing candidates then its good enough for sitting MPs too.

[Victoria Street]

Catherine, who have you been sending your inquiries to? CCHQ Candidate department is Gareth Fox, Davina Merison and Melissa Bramley. Or try Chairman of the Candidates Association, Mary Macleod, at mary@conservativecandidates.org

[Barbara Musgrave]

It may be difficult issue for some of the male 'would be candidates' to understand; the electorate like voting for women.

If this were not the case the Lib. dems would not use women of all ages to win seats from us.

women form a greater part of the elctorate and they have stopped voting Conservative because they see us as a paternal and condescending party. Women win elections that is why we need them as candidates.

[Janice Small]

Is it right to allow those candidates to stay selected by the local association if they have failed to win that seat twice already? There is too much history attached to some candidates to allow them to continue and one more push won't do. All seats should be open to primaries and a fair selection process. If CCHQ do not consider those candidates currently being endorsed by the local associations suitable for national selection then they should be made to step down.

[Michael McGowan]

No-one is arguing against having more women candidates. The more the merrier provided they are good; not just Central Office clones; and they compete fairly and openly with other candidates. Fair and open competition may well not have always been the case in the past and that has to change too.

As a matter of fact, the Lib Dem benches are overwhelmingly male. That is neither a bad nor a good thing as far as I am concerned, apart from the fact that I have no time for the Lib Dems period. However, it gives the lie to the post by Barbara Musgrave. At Dunfermline, the Lib Dems put up a white male candidate who trounced Labour. The Tory candidate (a female single parent hand-picked by Cameron and Francis Maude) crashed and burned.

And Bernard Jenkin, a glaring example of a man who rose without trace, has still to explain why he, Maude and all the other well-upholstered insiders are not submitting themselves for reselection under the New Model regime they are so keen to inflict on others.

[wasp]

I was disappointed that Jenkin did not take the opportunity to actively promote younger candidates.

We talk about underepresentation of women & minorities but there is zero representation of the under 30s in the parliamentary party