The party’s Priority or A-list of candidates has the worthy aim of increasing the number of women and ethnic minority Conservative MPs. Unfortunately, however, at a time when gross incompetence has become the hallmark of this Labour Government the party’s management of the whole A-list process has failed to inspire confidence.
Fortunately Francis Maude and Bernard Jenkin have begun to show tactical flexibility in its implementation. The David Burrowes critique – that local candidates matter – was pre-empted and many local candidates have been given passports to apply for target seats. Bob Neill’s candidacy in Bromley and Chislehurst - and the fact that Mrs Forth was allowed to apply - most exemplify the party’s very welcome flexibility.
What next? How can full confidence be restored in the candidate selection process? Some back-of-the-envelope recommendations are made below. As always your comments are very welcome.
‘In the beginning’ we were told that local candidates could only apply for seats in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances have become the norm. The flexible inclusion of local candidates should be allowed to continue. This will ensure that there is no serious rebellion from local associations against the A-list.
The A-list should be doubled in size and the quotas dropped. A bigger A-list will reduce the likelihood of constituency associations receiving an inadequate number of applications. The experience of Telford, Lewes and Richmond Park – among others - was demeaning. Ending the 50/50 target will also restore confidence in the quality of the list. I have spoken to so many Association officers in the last month who believe that every man on the A-list must be of good quality but that some of the women on the A-list are only there to make up the quota. That unfair perception is disadvantaging the many very high quality women who are on the A-list. If the list is doubled to 200 and 75 of the extra 100 candidates are white men, so be it. Let’s just work to maximise the number of those white men who come from diverse regional, professional and educational backgrounds.
A-listers must be required to apply for seats but they must also get more information from CCHQ. Zac Goldsmith has famously failed to apply for any seat. A number of others have only applied for a couple of seats. When people joined the A-list they were told that being part of the list required serious commitment. This is an extract from their letter of ‘congratulations’:
“We are pleased to tell you that you have been appointed a priority candidate. Many congratulations. This does involve an immediate commitment on your part to apply for as many of the winnable seats as you feel able. Remember, being a priority candidate does not guarantee you a seat to fight, nor does it guarantee a place in Parliament. You will still have to go through the selection procedure and in the event of being selected as a Parliamentary Candidate, your commitment to your constituency will be monitored. You must be able to give the time and physical presence necessary in order to provide real leadership in the community and to build up the campaigning capacity of the Conservative Association. Priority candidates who fail to demonstrate commitment or who fail to apply for suitable seats without giving a good reason to the Candidates’ Team may regrettably have to be removed as a priority candidate.”
Why aren’t these requirements being enforced? A-listers have also complained to ConservativeHome that they are receiving very little information from CCHQ. Little guidance on what seats to apply for and little guidance on dealing with the media.
All approved candidates should be put on at least one list from which they can immediately start applying for seats. I would suggest regional lists so that long-standing west country residents can apply in their region and a special City seats list so new, younger candidates can cut their teeth in some of Labour’s urban heartlands. This will motivate the non-A-listers who have hardly received any feedback after ‘failing’ to be a part of the first tranche of A-listers and it will help to avoid more cancellation of selection meetings.
Start investing in serious talent spotting and talent development. My own personal view is that the A-list is of reasonably high quality. My top concern is the limited number of candidates from northern seats and unconventional backgrounds. The party needs a talent spotting academy – ideally based in a northern city – to find and develop the candidates of tomorrow.
Bursaries. Robert Halfon and Katie Perrior have both recommended financial help for lower income candidates. Bernard Jenkin has said that he is precoccupied with the importance of this issue.
Let’s move fast. David Burrowes’ excellent pamphlet had two messages: Pick ‘em local and Pick ‘em early. CCHQ needs to move fast to increase the size of the A-list and introduce regional lists. Only then will we have candidates selected soon – having the time to become central to the lives of their constituencies – and on track for victory. In order to “move fast” I think Francis Maude and Bernard Jenkin should be kept in place. They both have a passionate commitment to build a more representative Conservative Party. A change of personnel at this point could easily slow things down. They both deserve to finish the work that they have begun.
