One always hesitates in my job before casting judgment on the performance of others in court – one didn’t know their case, or their instructions, or didn’t hear the evidence. All these caveats apply to analysis of the recent news about Derek Conway, who will, it seems, be suspended for some ten days from attending the business of the House of Commons. On the other hand, the Party leadership will have known about this for some time, and will know rather more about it than we do.
If all is as it seems to be, then I am afraid that I’m convinced that the whip should be withdrawn from Mr Conway and thought be given to his continued selection as a candidate for the Party. (For those that are interested, I think that this seems to reflect the current weight of opinion on ConservativeHome).
It is a terrible pity. I have long admired Mr Conway. He is brave and forthright and he has often advanced beliefs that are unpopular in modern life because he believes them. But it is necessary, I think.
We expect higher standards from our elected representatives. We should act when we don’t get them. I know that a lot of people think about this in tactical terms – that Hain, Johnson and co are in trouble and that - particularly when the media class is so dead set against us - we can’t afford such things amongst our own ranks, so Conway needs to be axed for tactical reasons. Many who think this are my old colleagues from my days working for the Party.. I respect them. But, though we may reach the same conclusion, I don’t share their thinking.
I am naïve enough to see this as a question of right and wrong, entirely separate from the conduct of Labour MPs (of whom, admittedly I have no high hopes). Ours is a great and decent Party, distinguished by the proud service it has given to our country and indebted to the memory of great forebears and stalwart members who worked all their lives in its cause. With that heritage and with the ideals we proudly hold, we ought to do nothing less than shine in public life. Sometimes, inevitably, we shall not. When that happens, we must not shirk from the necessary act.