Any Questions for Nadine Dorries?
Nadine Dorries has three children and was brought up in a council house in Liverpool and started her working life as a nurse; she subsequently enjoyed a successful career in business and is a former director of BUPA. In May 2005 Nadine was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Mid-Bedfordshire. Previously she was an advisor to the former Shadow Home Secretary & Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Oliver Letwin. Nadine is also a blogger and her blog won the Parliamentary Blog Award at this year's ConservativeHome Blog Awards.
If you would like to ask Nadine a question please leave it in the thread below.
You seem to be more prepared to say what you really think than many other MPs. I appreciate this - but do you get much flack for not always toeing the party line?
Posted by: Deborah | June 12, 2007 at 10:03
There is a vicious rumour that you once insisted on putting make-up on Oliver Letwin before he did an interview for Money Box (a radio show). Is it true?
Posted by: Milton | June 12, 2007 at 10:24
Nadine, I am Chairman of my local Conservative Branch and would like to ask whether you might be available to attend and speak at my Branch's Summer Garden Party and Hog Roast on Sun 12 Aug in Buckden. Nothing formal - just a verbal blog post, if you like!
I am sure my Committee won't mind me saying this but I am about 20 years younger than most of them and very keen to recruit some new younger people to get involved. Your presence would help me to promote the lunch to new audiences in the village.
We're only 20mins or so up the A1.
If I can give you any further info, do please give me a call on 07714 756215.
Many thanks and please don't change anything about your style or writing.
yours, Richard Bailey
Posted by: richard bailey | June 12, 2007 at 10:55
If you had the power to change one aspect of today's society, what would you choose to do?
Posted by: Mike H | June 12, 2007 at 10:57
There is significant, even if minority, support for the party in Liverpool and our major cities. How best should we try to connect with these people?
Posted by: Carl Cross | June 12, 2007 at 11:31
In my experience a large proportion of the population has little time for politics and, in particular, politicians. The culture of spin, deceit and obfuscation employed by the current administration has done little to help the situation. What do you believe politicians need to do in order to re-engage the interest and respect of their electorate?
Posted by: Mike H | June 12, 2007 at 11:55
You come from a very different background from many of the younger MPs. From your perspective, do you think the party has a lot to lose with its increasingly public school / oxbridge image? Is it alienating working class tories?
Posted by: jamie | June 12, 2007 at 12:10
Do you think the party should promise tax cuts at next General Election?
Posted by: TaxCutter | June 12, 2007 at 12:46
With your apparent background in this area, where do you think Care in the Community should begin, and with whom?
Posted by: Machiavelli's Understudy | June 12, 2007 at 13:11
What three policies would YOU like to see at the top of the agenda for the next Conservative government.
Posted by: Mike H | June 12, 2007 at 14:02
What do you say to one of the posters on the Louise Bagshawe thread who argued that female politicians must ultimately choose between being a mother and being an MP, and can't do both long-term?
I'm assuming you disagree!
Posted by: James | June 12, 2007 at 14:29
The Independent names as you as one of the most stylish MPs and Sky News has you listed as one of the most fanciable - how do you deal with the pressures on you to look good and maintain your style? Do you think woman MPs are subjected to a different level of scrutiny in this respect compared to men in politics? Do you dress to impress, or does it just come naturally?
Posted by: Barry Garston | June 12, 2007 at 15:02
Do you agree with David Davis MP - that Capital Punishment should be re-introduced for the murder of police officers?
Posted by: Watchdog | June 12, 2007 at 16:27
You come across as an honest, straightforward, and occasionally outspoken person (good on you for that), so here's a purely hypothetical question... Imagine that the last Conservative party leadership election had not yet taken place and David Cameron was not remotely interested in standing - for the purposes of this exercise, maybe it's easier if we imagine that he didn't exist. Who would you most like to stand for election as leader of the party, and why?
Posted by: Mike H | June 13, 2007 at 20:52
Do you regret the stance you took on Grammar Schools?
Posted by: Peter Barnes | June 14, 2007 at 18:52