The Conservative Party's A-list was designed to address the alleged reluctance of local associations to adopt women and people from minority backgrounds but Howard Flight is now suggesting that ageism might be an additional problem.
On Sunday ConservativeHome broke the news that West Worcestershire had closed the door to the candidacy of A-lister (and local homeowner) Mr Flight.
The former shadow cabinet minister has not swallowed the rejection quietly and has implicitly accused the party of ageism. Interviewed for yesterday's World at One Radio 4 programme, Mr Flight complained that West Worcestershire "wanted a candidate who, on grounds of age, could be expected to serve at least two or three terms and therefore those who were above a certain age were ruled out." Mr Flight noted that legislation outlawing ageism is about to come into effect and that 70% of Tory voters are aged over 55.
Writing on this site, Iain Dale made the case for the selection of older candidates in January of this year:
"We should be identifying successful businessmen in their fifties, retired chief constables, retired service personnel, charity chief executives, social entrepreneurs who’ve been there, done that. What about the likes of retired sportspeople and Conservative supporters like Trevor Brooking, Graham Gooch or Ian Botham? Imagine Graham Gooch standing in a marginal seat like Thurrock or Basildon or Ian Bothan standing in Batley & Spen. Wouldn’t they do better than a 26 year old ex CCO apparatchik? You bet they would."
