NAME... Iain Dale
WELL KNOWN FOR... Establishing the Politicos bookstore and publishing arm and for being one of Britain’s first bloggers. Iain appeared regularly on Radio Five before he was selected as Conservative candidate for Norfolk North for the 2005 General Election. He has become a regular political pundit on Sky News and News 24 in recent weeks.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY HISTORY... Iain was the first gay Conservative candidate to be selected having been open with the selection committee about his sexuality. Despite a vigorous local campaign unfortunately the Tory vote fell in North Norfolk by 6.3% and the LibDem MP's vote rose by over 10%. A majority of 403 became a majority of 10,606. After that disappointment Iain became Chief of Staff to the favourite candidate to succeed Michael Howard - one David Davis. The rest, as they say, is history.
SPECIALIST AREAS... Conservative Party history (he helped found the Conservative History Group), home affairs and Thatcherism... Iain is an expert on Mrs T and Thatcherism. The latest of his fourteen books is 'A Tribute in Words and Pictures' to Margaret Thatcher.
DID YOU KNOW...? Iain is a big West Ham fan - holding a season ticket for Upton Park. Stories of the Hammers appear constantly on his blog.
MAIN STRENGTHS... A successful businessman with an excellent media manner.
IDEAL CONSTITUENCY... Something in Kent (where he lives) or in London?
MORE INFORMATION... Personal blog.
WOULD IAIN BE ON YOUR GOLDLIST?
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VOTING IN THIS SURVEY HAS NOW CLOSED. 216 VOTES WERE RECEIVED. 48% WERE IN FAVOUR OF IAIN DALE JOINING THE GOLDLIST. 50% WERE AGAINST. 2% DIDN'T KNOW.
NEXT NOMINEE: LEE ROTHERHAM
