It was just over a year ago that ConservativeHome published this damning account of the selection process for Conservative MEP candidates, which rigged the vote in favour of incumbents over new hopefuls and in favour of female candidates over men.
In no way do I dissent from the justified criticism of the party contained in that piece, but if there is a small crumb of comfort, it is to say that at least we don't live in Italy.
Both The Times and The Sun have given coverage today to the way in which Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has recruited new candidates for his People of Liberty party to stand in the European Parliament election in June.
The conclusion can only be drawn that it has not been an entirely meritocratic process.
They include:
- Angela Sozio - a former contestant in the Italian version of Big Brother
- Barbara Matera - a former Miss Italy contestant
- Camilla Ferranti - An actress in an Italian soap
- Eleonora Gaggioli - Another TV actress
None is understood to have any experience of politics, but, as The Times reports:
