This evening's Wirral South open primary (yet another orchestrated by North West Conservatives) chose Jeff Clarke, former LibDem candidate for Wirral West, to fight the winnable Labour majority of 3,724. Jeff is a barrister in Liverpool and Councillor in Chester.
Deputy Editor
Update: There has been some debate about Jeff Clarke's motives for defecting. Click Continue to read a brief article written by him shortly after joining the Conservatives. It was intended for ConservativeHome but hasn't been published before now...
Jeff Clarke: Walking the line – a personal journey (10/05/06)
"In 1997 I stood as a parliamentary candidate in a constituency where the Labour party candidate swept away all others on a huge tide of support from its frustrated voters.
After that election it almost seemed a pointless exercise being an opposition politician, such was the massive goodwill being shown to the new Labour Government by the people of this country. However as 2001 approached disappointment amongst the voting public was evident. The honeymoon period was becoming a distant memory. The election in 2001saw Labour returned on the basis that they had been in government for a relatively short period and that they should be given a further opportunity to deliver on the promises they had made.
By the time we approached May 2005, the Labour Government was on a downward spiral, disappointment and let down replacing the great hope that the public had placed in it. The government won the election almost by default, the voting public failing to see the Conservative party as a realistic alternative. Thus the Labour party was returned with a much reduced majority, that saw the great red tide of support of 1997 further ebb away.
Enter David Cameron into the Conservative leadership contest. Yes he was the young one towards the back of the group, as David Davis and others sought stake their claim. Then came the Party Conference, and that changed every thing. A young articulate leader untarnished by the absolute rejection of the 1997 election defeat was chosen. The genuine desire to change the emphasis of party policy, and public perception of it was clearly signalled.
Politics was suddenly dynamic and interesting again. A leader that was passionate about the things that are important to me and my family, and millions of families like us up and down the country. A leader who talked the language of one nation, inclusive politics with a genuine passion. I want him to succeed, I believe he can succeed if people like me are willing to take the leap of faith required to make it happen. I had little hesitation in coming forward to lend my support to him and I will not be the last. I invite others to do the same.
It is time to end the politics of disappointment and let down that has come to characterise this Labour Government. It can be done with your help."
